Ikebana

Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, has been practiced for more than 600 years. It has evolved during this long period from what were originally offerings that were placed on the altar of Buddhist temples. These consisted of three main stems gathered closely at the base, vertically placed in the water. The three stems were used to represent the harmony between heaven, individuals and earth.

With the years Ikebana developed as an art form which uses flowers, branches, and leaves to create living pieces of art that show the unique beauty and character of each stem. It is practiced and enjoyed by people all over the world.

In 1895, Unshin Ohara founded the Ohara School. He created a new style of Ikebana called Moribana or “piled up flowers”. Initially, the flowers and elements were arranged in a low tray-like container called a ‘seikan’. In time, even vertical containers have been used to underline the importance of self-expression.

Currently, there are over 3,000 different schools of Ikebana: Ikenobo, Sogetsu, and Ohara are the three most popular.

Ikenobo is the oldest of the three and still retains the classical concepts of Ikebana. Sogetsu is the most modern and emphasizes self-expression. Ohara relies on tradition, but also pays special attention to each season and flower to bring out its natural beauty, creating a modern interpretation of the classical forms.

My research as well as conversations with staff revealed the important historic house museums’ connection to Japanese art.

As a way to pay homage to the artistry and culture, I’m including these distinctive traditions in a mini workshop as a way to complement this project .

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