IKEBANA - The art of Japanese flower arrangements
Ikebana is the exquisite art of Japanese flower arranging. The meaning of Ikebana is “living flowers”, but a more accurate interpretation would be an ‘arrangement of plant materials ‘. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living sculpture in which nature and humanity are brought together. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing a closeness with nature. Its materials are living branches, leaves, grasses, and blossoms. How Is Ikebana Different From Flower Arrangement?
What distinguishes ikebana from other approaches such as "flower arrangement" is its asymmetrical form and the use of empty space as an essential feature of the composition. A sense of harmony among the materials, the container, and the setting is also crucial. These are characteristics of aesthetics that ikebana shares with traditional Japanese paintings, gardens, architecture, and design.
Ikebana Accessories :-
Hasami – Ikebana Shears
Hasami (clippers or scissors) are used to cut flowers and stems to their desired lengths. Unlike garden shears or cutters, these scissors do not have a spring in the grip. Generally a branch or stem is cut at an angle rather than straight across. Although slender stems might be cut with the tips of the blades, most cutting involves holding the branch between the blades at their base, then closing the grip of the hand to begin cutting action. An initial shallow cut is followed by a deeper diagonal cut on a hard branch. This process is repeated so that the branch can be cut easily.
Kenzan
A holder into which flowers are inserted so that they are fixed firmly for an ikebana arrangement. In general, kenzan have many sharp points, and are called a "pin holder" or "needlepoint holder" in English. Also known as a "frog".
Hanaire or Suiban
flower container, vase, bowl for flower arrangement
MIZUAGE – Methods To Encourage Absorption Of Water
a) Mizugiri – The base of a stem is cut under water, so that air will not enter the stem to block water uptake.
b) Charring – The base of the stem is charred, then immediately plunged into water. This technique, which can also control bacteria and prevent escape of fluids from the cut stem, is effective for plants which have difficulty absorbing water, such as tree peonies, hydrangeas and roses.
c) Boiling – As with charring, some materials benefit from having the cut end of the stem placed in boiling water.
d) Flower pump –A pump for forcing water into the stem is useful for materials whose stems have large water vessels, such as lotus or yellow pond lily
e) Crushing the stem or rubbing in salt – If white liquid emerges from the cut stem, or if the stem is obstructed by thickening, it can be rubbed in salt or crushed to open the water channels. This method is suitable for materials such as balloon flowers or milkbush.
f) Chemicals- vinegar, peppermint oil, or other chemicals can stimulate water absorption and slow the growth of bacteria in the water. Morning glory and slender types of bamboo are among varieties benefiting from such treatments,.
Styles of Japanese Flower arrangement:-
Rikka Style
Rikka style originated in the 16th century. Rikka means “standing flowers”. This style depicts nature in all her glory and grandeur. The first formal style of flower arrangement, developed in the early part of the fifteenth century. The designs are usually large, elegant and magnificent.
An average Rikka measures approximately from 3 to 5 times the height or width of the container. Once the length of the primary branch has been decided, all other branches are balanced accordingly to a set of pattern of measurements. A completed Rikka is globular in form having great space and depth.
Seika or Shoka Style
A type of traditional ikebana arrangement characterized by a tight bundle of stems which form a triangular three-branched asymmetrical structure. This style is similar to the Rikka style, but has fewer, less strict rules. It originated in the mid-18th century. It is renowned for its elegant, linear style. Although modern Shoka commonly uses three verities of material, classical Shoka seldom uses more than two.
Moribana Style
In the Moribana style, the emphasis is on the natural beauty of seasonal scenes ideally presented, rather than on religious or moral symbolism . Moribana means “piled up”. Low dishes are used. Branches represents trees, and rocks and moss are used for island or land. There are open water areas and low growing plants are placed in the foreground.
Nageire Style
"Nageire" means "thrown-in" in the original meaning of this term, one sticks the flowers in by simply throwing them in the vase. However, the style has become formalized. Nageire requires a tall container and employ various artifices to hold the branches in position. The primary branch may be from one to two times the height plus the width of the container. The second branch is three quarters the length of the primary branch and the third is three quarter the length of the second branch.
What distinguishes ikebana from other approaches such as "flower arrangement" is its asymmetrical form and the use of empty space as an essential feature of the composition. A sense of harmony among the materials, the container, and the setting is also crucial. These are characteristics of aesthetics that ikebana shares with traditional Japanese paintings, gardens, architecture, and design.
Ikebana Accessories :-
Hasami – Ikebana Shears
Hasami (clippers or scissors) are used to cut flowers and stems to their desired lengths. Unlike garden shears or cutters, these scissors do not have a spring in the grip. Generally a branch or stem is cut at an angle rather than straight across. Although slender stems might be cut with the tips of the blades, most cutting involves holding the branch between the blades at their base, then closing the grip of the hand to begin cutting action. An initial shallow cut is followed by a deeper diagonal cut on a hard branch. This process is repeated so that the branch can be cut easily.
Kenzan
A holder into which flowers are inserted so that they are fixed firmly for an ikebana arrangement. In general, kenzan have many sharp points, and are called a "pin holder" or "needlepoint holder" in English. Also known as a "frog".
Hanaire or Suiban
flower container, vase, bowl for flower arrangement
MIZUAGE – Methods To Encourage Absorption Of Water
a) Mizugiri – The base of a stem is cut under water, so that air will not enter the stem to block water uptake.
b) Charring – The base of the stem is charred, then immediately plunged into water. This technique, which can also control bacteria and prevent escape of fluids from the cut stem, is effective for plants which have difficulty absorbing water, such as tree peonies, hydrangeas and roses.
c) Boiling – As with charring, some materials benefit from having the cut end of the stem placed in boiling water.
d) Flower pump –A pump for forcing water into the stem is useful for materials whose stems have large water vessels, such as lotus or yellow pond lily
e) Crushing the stem or rubbing in salt – If white liquid emerges from the cut stem, or if the stem is obstructed by thickening, it can be rubbed in salt or crushed to open the water channels. This method is suitable for materials such as balloon flowers or milkbush.
f) Chemicals- vinegar, peppermint oil, or other chemicals can stimulate water absorption and slow the growth of bacteria in the water. Morning glory and slender types of bamboo are among varieties benefiting from such treatments,.
Styles of Japanese Flower arrangement:-
Rikka Style
Rikka style originated in the 16th century. Rikka means “standing flowers”. This style depicts nature in all her glory and grandeur. The first formal style of flower arrangement, developed in the early part of the fifteenth century. The designs are usually large, elegant and magnificent.
An average Rikka measures approximately from 3 to 5 times the height or width of the container. Once the length of the primary branch has been decided, all other branches are balanced accordingly to a set of pattern of measurements. A completed Rikka is globular in form having great space and depth.
Seika or Shoka Style
A type of traditional ikebana arrangement characterized by a tight bundle of stems which form a triangular three-branched asymmetrical structure. This style is similar to the Rikka style, but has fewer, less strict rules. It originated in the mid-18th century. It is renowned for its elegant, linear style. Although modern Shoka commonly uses three verities of material, classical Shoka seldom uses more than two.
Moribana Style
In the Moribana style, the emphasis is on the natural beauty of seasonal scenes ideally presented, rather than on religious or moral symbolism . Moribana means “piled up”. Low dishes are used. Branches represents trees, and rocks and moss are used for island or land. There are open water areas and low growing plants are placed in the foreground.
Nageire Style
"Nageire" means "thrown-in" in the original meaning of this term, one sticks the flowers in by simply throwing them in the vase. However, the style has become formalized. Nageire requires a tall container and employ various artifices to hold the branches in position. The primary branch may be from one to two times the height plus the width of the container. The second branch is three quarters the length of the primary branch and the third is three quarter the length of the second branch.
