Author: Akemi

In my introductory class, I always start with “What does the word Ikebana mean?” I have mentioned it in my previous blog post as well, so I hope you visit it also.

Yes, Ikebana is about you, the creator, the artist.  In Ikebana, your canvas  is not a flat sheet of paper or cloth.  It’s the three dimensional space in front of you. And flowers are media to be used to express yourself. Let’s take a closer look at the media.

Line

Cut out of the nature, branches and flowers have some shape.  It may be straight or it may be curved, but after all the most abstract form you see in them is line. With only one line, you can express direction, movement, or energy flow. With two lines you can create surface. With three lines, you can create a structure in the three-dimensional world.

Mass

Some flowers have substantial volume.  Some have sparse look.  Likewise, some branches are covered with thick leaves, some have very thin leaves. Mass or absence of mass, is another element you use to express yourself.

Color

Just for fun, here is the photo of the same Ikebana arrangement, in black and white.  In photography I kind of like it. But in Ikebana canvas, you can’t eliminate colors. They are always there, so let’s use them.  Want to make a strong statement through Ikebana? Then use contrasting colors.  Want to express harmony?  Then choose similar colors.

Line, mass, and color… They are the three basic elements of Ikebana.

Whether at a museum like Seattle Art Museum or at an event like Cherry Blossom Festival, it is delightful to see beautiful Ikebana arrangements lined up.

Usually there is a sign in front of the arrangement, indicating which Ikebana school the artist belongs to.  Some of the work is so traditional that you can clearly identify which school.  Others are more free style and not so distinct. Some are small and simple, others are large and gorgeous.  While you walk through browsing each one of them, you find yourself becoming an Ikebana critique, murmuring “Oh, I like this one.” Or “Wow, I’ve never thought of combining these two flowers.”

The main reason why we host Ikebana exhibitions like the one held this weekend at SAM, no doubt, is to share the beauty of Ikebana with many people. If people enjoy themselves, we are so happy.

But do you know who benefits most from Ikebana?

The very person who made the arrangement!

You select a container and the flowers.  The order depends upon the person or the situation.  The peony in your backyard is full bloom so you would like to use it, so you look for a container that goes well with it.  Or you newly purchased a nice container and you would like to create something using it.  For whatever the reason, you made a selection.

Then you sit in front of the material. You clean the branch, hold it vertical, horizontally, or slanting.  You bring it forward, or backward.  In relation to the container, which line looks most beautiful?  Most striking?

Once you selected the direction, then you contemplate the length of the material.  How long? How short? How think?  You add another material, and another, and another…..

Sometimes you create something exactly what you imagined beforehand.  But often times you end up encountering what you have never imagined before.  What a nice surprise!

The whole process of arranging flowers is, just meditative.