Japan is one of the few countries that has managed to preserve its traditional arts through the centuries, which constitute its past, history, and culture. Among these arts, many are expressed in the form of sports such as sumo, martial arts like kyudo, figurative and symbolic arts like woodblock prints, and also ikebana. Indeed, you may have already heard of this floral art during a trip to Japan or from someone you know. In any case, it is more than just a simple way to highlight floral elements.
In Japanese culture, ikebana has always been considered a true materialization of the Zen path, advocated for centuries by the wisest Japanese men. We invite you to quickly explore this floral art and its ancient practice to discover the essence of this codified practice and see why it has managed to transcend centuries and now continents.
Origin of Ikebana
Originally introduced by China in the 8th century, as with many cultural elements of Japan, ikebana was initially just a simple way to enhance the beauty of flowers and the elements provided by nature. Only the nobles and Japanese aristocrats then embraced this floral art to decorate their residences or the grand Imperial Court. However, during the era of the samurais, ikebana came to be seen as more than just a figurative art. As Buddhism's influence in Japan grew, so did the path of Zen, often blending the two. Over the years, ikebana gradually took shape as florists and masters of the art developed specific techniques to best enhance the floral elements in ikebana vases and the different flowers offered by nature.
However, only the wealthy Japanese enjoyed this art until the 15th century. It was not until Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa introduced tokonoma in houses that ikebana spread across all social layers. A tokonoma, a slightly elevated area within a house, usually one to two meters in size, began to be filled with ikebana floral arrangements to add natural decoration to the home. More than just adding a bit of nature and flowering a place other than the garden, ikebana became a true means of expression, through which the arranger conveys genuine emotion and feelings. Here is how an ikebana master defines it:
"Japanese ikebana is a philosophy, a way of thinking. We work on the marriage between flowers and plants. We seek to simplify the composition to highlight each flower. Flowers change over time, illustrating the passing seasons. All this forms a sort of balance that can be disrupted at any moment. In fact, these compositions can be seen as a metaphor for life."
Why Practice Ikebana?
After reading the definition given by an experienced ikebana master, one quickly understands that this is not just about placing a variety of flowers in a vase to beautify a room. To grasp the essence of ikebana, it must be seen as a means of expression that an artist fully realizes, much like painting, singing, or sculpting. Ikebana advocates a purification of its components, and often you will find no more than three or four elements, each with a significant meaning and none there by chance.
The practice of ikebana is therefore primarily aimed at those who feel an attraction to nature, flowers, or at least their contact in general. If you engage in it, you will soon find that you can express yourself by creating personal floral compositions that reflect your personality. In conclusion, practicing ikebana can help you perhaps shed some weight or express a desire through floral elements to which you are drawn, all while fully embracing Japanese Zen culture. Moreover, it's a good opportunity to integrate your floral compositions into your home decor to add a bit of freshness to a room or even to create a perfect place for meditation practice.
What is the Difference Between a Normal Vase and an Ikebana Vase?
When starting in ikebana, it's legitimate to wonder what materials are necessary for practice, which we'll see shortly, but first, it's important to differentiate why selecting the ikebana vase should not be taken lightly. In an ikebana floral composition, you are often required to accommodate large flowers, or even branches, and consequently, a tool called kenzan (flower spike) was invented to keep these elements upright. This kenzan is meant to be placed at the bottom of the vase and is often covered with complementary elements such as moss or bark. Therefore, your vase must have a flat bottom and not have too narrow a neck to accommodate this kenzan. Otherwise, you won't be able to place your kenzan, and your floral composition will not stand upright. Secondly, a normal vase is merely meant to decorate a room and an agreement between it and the flowers it hosts is not necessarily sought. In contrast, the ikebana vase must absolutely complement the shape, design, and colors of the composition it holds, otherwise your ikebana floral arrangement will not be cohesive.
How to Create an Ikebana Floral Arrangement?
Now that you know what ikebana is and have had a glimpse of its symbolic dimension, it's time to see how to create your first arrangement. First, we recommend starting by choosing your floral elements, at least two. For this, orient yourself towards beautiful flowers with which you already have affinities and which, if possible, are complementary in terms of their colors. Don't hesitate to ask for ideas from a botany pro if you have one in your circle. If not, you can choose white flowers, tulips, roses, orchids, or even green plants if your inspiration is lacking. Also, don't hesitate to look at seasonal flowers to ensure you have blooming flowers or even more exotic Japanese flowers if you're looking for something original.
If you wish to add a plus to your composition, you can always opt to select only scented flowers to add charm to your floral decoration. Once that's done, you will need to choose your ikebana vase. At the Heart of Japan, we therefore offer you a wide range of ikebana vases with which you can create elegant floral compositions. There are actually three types of ikebana vases and depending on the flowers and/or branches you have chosen, you will need to make a choice between these three families of vases:
Nageire vase: These are elongated vases, often about twenty centimeters tall, and therefore perfect for long elements. Moribana vase: Moribana vases are often the most used in ikebana because they can accommodate almost all types of flowers. These are flat vases often comparable to a dish or a plate. Yubana vase: The last category of vases corresponds to vases not intended to accommodate a floral arrangement. Once you have made your choice among these three types of ikebana vases, you just need to install your kenzan in it and then arrange your flowers while giving them the orientation you desire.
Finally, complete your arrangement by using a pair of shears or scissors suitable for ikebana to trim excess petals and foliage to purify your composition and make it breathe. You are now ready to add a beautiful decorative but also romantic element to your home, as well as lovely aromatic flavors that often accompany an ikebana floral arrangement.
