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Writer's pictureIlse Beunen

What is Ikebana?

Updated: Jul 28

The Short Definition - Japanese Floral Arranging

The most common translation for Ikebana (生け花) is Japanese flower arranging, but Ikebana is much more than making flower arrangements.

In Japanese, Ikebana is written with two Japanese characters: "ike" (生け), meaning "to arrange" or "to live," and "bana" (花), meaning "flowers."

It literally translates to "living flowers" or "arranging flowers," and the main focus is giving flowers and branches a second life. It is more than just showing the beauty of flowers, as is sometimes the case in Western arrangements. If you don't add something of yourself to the arrangement, you better leave the flowers where they were.


Basic Upright Style Moribana Arragement according to the Sogetsu Ikebana Style
Basic Upright Style Moribana Arragement


The History of Ikebana

Most sources claim that Ikebana originated from Buddhist offerings, which led to the establishment of the oldest Ikebana school, Ikenobo. However, in my opinion the story of Ikebana predates Buddhism.  


Japan's unique blend of flora, with evergreens and seasonal shedding, led to an intimate bond with nature. This bond with nature led to the emergence of Shinto, the original religion of Japan. Shinto has a multitude of gods and spirits, numbering in the millions, all rooted in an unwavering respect for nature. This respect originates from the belief that the spiritual governs nature. Shinto rejects the notion of human ownership or control over nature. Instead, it strives for a harmonious coexistence with all living beings.


The combination of Shinto and Buddhism created a fertile soil for the development of Ikebana.


Samurai doing ikebana in a tall container
Samurai Doing Ikebana - Source Wikicommons



Ikebana Newsletter

Different schools of Ikebana

Ikebana schools typically follow a structured curriculum that dictates predetermined lengths and angles of inclination for the main branches in basic arrangements. These measurements ensure that the arrangement maintains harmony in itself and with its container.


The curriculum with basic arrangements can be considered exercises in aesthetics, something one must master before proceeding to more creative arrangements. The complete Sogetsu curriculum contains 110 lessons and takes approximately four years to complete, resulting in a teacher certificate.


Ikenobo School

Drawing inspiration from the ritual flower Buddhist offerings introduced in Japan in the early 6th century, Senkei of the Ikenobo school in Kyoto crafted the rikka style in 1462. Originally, Rikka arrangements comprised seven branches, symbolizing the legendary Mount Meru from Buddhist cosmology. These branches represented various elements such as the peak, waterfall, hill, valley behind the mountain, and the town. The structure was divided into "shade" and "sun" sections.

Many schools emerged from the Ikenobo school.  


Shoka works by the 40th headmaster Ikenobo Senjo from the Shoka Hyakki, 1820
Shoka works by the 40th headmaster Ikenobo Senjo from the Shoka Hyakki, 1820


Ohara School

During the Meiji period from 1868 to 1912, Japan opened its ports, and foreign influences and foreign flowers were introduced and became essential import products. Ohara Unshin, the founder of the Ohara school, considered the existing ikebana styles too limited for these new flowers and introduced a new style.


Sogetsu School

Throughout the 1930s, numerous ikebana schools emerged, each exploring styles loosely inspired by the traditional triangle pattern representing heaven, earth, and humankind. From 1930, and especially after the world wars, the avant-garde style, known as Zen-eibana, developed.


In this style, freedom of expression allows one to diverge from the strict and formal rules of the classical styles. In Zen-eibana, practitioners use materials like plastics, metals, and glass. It was also the start of the school I practice and teach, the Sogetsu school. Sofu Teshigahara founded the school with the motto that Ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, and with any material.


Ikebana Arrangement by Ilse Beunen | Inspired by Mondriaan
Ikebana Arrangement by Ilse Beunen | Inspired by Mondriaan


Different sorts of ikebana arrangements

Nageire ikebana arrangements originated in the 16th century and are made in tall vases. Nageire literally means throwing in, but it is much more than throwing in. Flowers and branches are placed slanted in the vases and almost never placed straight into the container. Special fixation methods were developed to work in nageire containers.  


Variation 1 Upright Style Nageire according to the Sogetsu Ikebana Style
Nageire Arrangement by Ilse Beunen


The moribana style was developed by the Ohara Unshin, and it significantly transformed the world of Ikebana. Moribana, which translates to "piled-up flowers," is done in shallow containers and uses a kenzan, or flower frog, to secure the flowers and branches. Many schools included moribana-style arrangements in their curriculum.  


Basic Slanting Style Moribana Arrangement Sogetsu Style
Basic Slanting Style Moribana Arrangement Sogetsu Style by Ilse Beunen




What is the purpose of Ikebana?

Ikebana has many facets, and the focus on each depends on the school, teacher, and student.   

My core components are aesthetics, Creativity, Art, Spirituality, and Inner Peace. The emphasis on each of these facets varies between schools, teachers, and Ikebana practitioners. Your focus can also shift during your journey, for example, from aesthetics to inner peace.


Aesthetics

There is a pure design aspect to Ikebana; this is the aspect closest to Western-style floristry. The Japanese schools have rules distilled over centuries, giving guidance to make beautiful and attractive arrangements. This is the facet most of us start with, but then we evolve to more creativity.



Ikebana Arrangement with Grass
Ikebana Arrangement with Grass


Creativity

The rules for preset ikebana arrangements are strict, and schools take them seriously. This builds the perception that Ikebana is not about creativity or personal expression. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The preset arrangements serve as a first step on the path to creativity. Once you have mastered them, you can use the principles to develop your style.  



Ikebana Arrangement focusing on Ton-sur-Ton
Ton-sur-Ton Ikebana Arrangement


Path to Inner Peace

Kado is a Japanese synonym for Ikebana. Literally translated, it means the way of the flowers. This aspect focuses on the fact that the journey is more important than the end result, which illustrates the meditative aspect. While doing Ikebana, you cannot think of other things; you are in the moment. Some people refer to Ikebana as Zen with Flowers.


Is Ikebana Art?

Ikebana is often translated as the Japanese art of flower arrangement. I consider Ikebana as going to art school. It is an art form like painting, music, theater, sculpting. Also many ikebanist evolved further as artists in other fields.


The Sogetsu curriculum I follow is inspired by the elements and principles of art, which requires practice, exploration, and continuous learning. Just like any other art form, Ikebana involves creativity, an understanding of design principles, and the ability to evoke emotions through arrangements.


Simple Ikebana Arrangement by Ilse Beunen
Simple Ikebana Arrangement by Ilse Beunen

Sogetsu has three main principles, mass, color, and line, which are applied to arrangements with flowers and branches. Sogetsu, founded at the beginning of the 20th century, has a motto that Ikebana is for everyone and can be done with any material, anytime. Sogetsu ikebanists often use humanmade materials and objects, such as plastics, glass, metal, and wood. Sometimes arrangements without flowers are made.

abstract arrangement


The Spirituality of Ikebana

Although it is less prominent nowadays, we should not forget that Ikebana has developed through influences from two religions, Buddhism and Shinto, Japan's native religion—a religion closely tied to nature.

The Sogetsu school I practice does not explicitly focus on the spiritual element, but while I do Ikebana, there is always a special feeling, giving it an extra dimension.


Ikebana is practiced globally

Ikebana is practiced worldwide and promoted by organizations such as Ikebana International and the Iwaya Fund. The different schools have an international system of regional groups to promote and practice Ikebana.  


Exploring the world of Ikebana can be a transformative experience. It allows you to tap into your creativity, embrace nature, and slow down. Embark on this unique journey and discover Ikebana for yourself.


Read More About These General Ikebana Concepts

Follow my blog to learn more about

  • Ma: negative space

  • Lines

  • Colors

  • Mass

  • Asymmetry

  • Simplicity


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