Ikebana is the Japanese floral art of arranging and enjoying the composition of only plants or mainly plants combined with various other materials. Originating in Japan, it has now spread to many countries around the world. Some schools offer a very traditional style of Ikebana arrangement, while others offer a modern artistic style.
Whether the western style flower arrangement or ikebana, one can learn a lot about flowers and plants. What is the difference, then? It is said that Ikebana is a kind of ‘subtraction’. While the western style flower arrangement uses many plant materials to fill the space, ikebana uses less flowers/plants and leaves more space to decorate the space - it could be called 'minimalism'.
By creating space with an awareness of the relationship between the lines, forms and surfaces created by flowers, branches and leaves, those who do Ikebana may be able to learn techniques of beautifully decorating a space with a small number of plant materials.
Practically we need plant materials, a vase/shallow flower container, Kenzans (or Shippo) and scissors. There are many different forms of Ikebana, with dimensions that balance the container/vase and plants. According to these rules, plants are cut and arranged in a container/vase.
In Ikebana, beauty is found not only in the flowers, stems and leaves at their best, but also in the buds, withered leaves and branches. In a work of Ikebana, one is able to express not only the expanse of space, but also the passing of time and the changing of the seasons.
Learning Ikebana may help you to realise the flow of time and develop a sensitivity to the different types of plants, their growth and seasonal changes. It may also lead to an interest in history, painting and the way plants grow in nature.
By learning Ikebana, one may find oneself looking at the flowers and trees on the street more than ever before and/or hiking in the forest or up a mountain, expanding your horizon beyond arranging plants in containers.
Ikebana also has a meditative effect: one will quietly sit at a table, face plant materials and concentrate during the Ikebana sessions.
I myself find it pleasant to hear the faint sound of Ikebana scissors in stillness during Ikebana lessons.
It is considered that Ikebana originated from the Buddhist offering of flowers/plants at the time of the introduction of Buddhism to Japan (6th century CE) from the continent. First established in the middle of the Muromachi period (14-15th century CE), when it became known as standing flower arrangement. Later, during the Edo period (17-19th century CE), it spread from the upper class and samurai class to the common people.
Various forms of ikebana were developed, including Nageire (flowers thrown in a vase) and Moribana (meaning 'piled up flower' in a shallow flower container; 19th century CE by the founder of Ohara School).
Especially after WWII, Ikebana also became a modern art form, incorporating a wide range of materials other than plants.
The combination of flower containers and the flowers is also important aspect of Ikebana. Containers can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common is traditional Japanese pottery. Several regions of Japan have their own distinctive pottery types used to make Ikebana containers. Other materials such as glass and baskets are also used, especially during hot summer months.
When arranging flowers, one uses Ikebana scissors and Kenzans made of steel.
The traditional Ikebana tools are made from sustainable materials. Ikebana containers, Kenzans and scissors can be used for decades if used with care. I myself still use the tools my grandmother had.
Selected references (electronic sources):
https://www.ikebana-bundesverband.de/