For the last few months, I’ve been taking classes in Japanese ikebana. As chado or sado 茶道 is “the way of tea,” ikebana or kado 華道 is “the way of the flower.” Ikebana 生け花 is normally described as traditional Japanese-style flower arrangement, but it’s actually more like flower and foliage arrangement in that leaves, stems, twigs, and buds are utilized more than flower blooms. This is because the artistic emphasis in ikebana is largely on line and form. There is a body of rules governing how one creates those lines, and it varies from school to school, but one also has free will to explore different forms and produce whatever feels instinctual and organic.
Furthermore, in ikebana, the experiential tends to outweigh the purely aesthetic unlike in standard floral arrangement. The process of crafting a piece is perhaps more important than the end result itself. However, since the final creation has the ability to draw the observer closer to nature just like the process does with the artist, it, too, is deemed significant.
The ikebana experience is not just an artistic pursuit but also a spiritual one. Whilst making an arrangement, the individual is focused on bringing him or herself in harmony with nature. There is a complete engagement of one’s senses and one’s self in the period of cultivation. This allows us to leave behind the distractions of daily life and to focus our energies on the beauty and serenity of nature. We are reminded through ikebana that we are intricately linked to the natural world. For me, each stem-penetrating pierce of the kenzan 剣山 (the spiky plate holding the stems in place) is symbolic of the cycle of creation and destruction that we, as human beings, take part in everyday. Our role in that cycle is both as originator and as recipient. Ikebana inspires us to to be more cognizant of that role and I believe, guides us along the path to becoming more responsible and enlightened individuals if we let it.
Angle specifications for the shin 真, soe 副, and hikae 控, the three main elements of an ikebana arrangement when not in freestyle form. The shin, soe, and hikae may represent heaven, man, and earth or the sun, moon, and earth. Other elements of the arrangement may portray any phenomenon in nature, whether it’s valleys, hills, waterfalls, or the wind.
My first arrangement and a clear demonstration of shin, soe, and hikae:
The guidelines for ikebana vary depending on the school. The particular school that my classes are associated with is the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Local ward offices in Tokyo such as at the office in my ward, the Shinagawa International Friendship Assocation, also offer ikebana classes.
Hi there, my sister and I are looking at coming to Japan next year and would like to take some Ikebana classes. Are the ones you are taking in a block? Is it on going? Your arrangements are lovely.
The classes I’m taking are in a block, and the blocks are each about three months long. In-between each block there’s a couple month break. It sounds like you’re not moving here, just coming to visit? If so, you can take private classes with the Sogetsu School by calling and booking in advance. More information on that is available here:
http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/english/n_class/index2.html
Good luck!