Which Tools I Need to Make an Ikebana Art

Now you know the true meaning of Ikebana. You feel like trying it. You want to give a new life to flowers! What tools do you need? Here is a list of things you need for Ikebana.

Three Must Haves

For Ikebana, you need at least these three items:

  • Scissors

The most common type is called Ikenobo hasami (hasami means scissors in Japanese).The tip of the handles is curled up, giving appropriate weight on the handles.  They are mainly made of iron orstainless steel. The size is about 6-7 inches long.

  • Kenzan

 

The pinfrog is called kenzan. For the container with 12 inches diameter, a round kenzan with 2.5 – 3 inches in diameter would be appropriate.  The kenzan shown in the photo above is called Sun and Moon.  I recommend this type, because often times you will use the moon-shaped one as weight if you use a heavy branch.

  • Container… A round, shallow, flat-bottom container as shown in the photo above is most versatile for a beginner. Twelve inches in diameter is a good size. A square or rectangle shape will work, too.  Any material would do, either ceramic, glass, or plastic.  Make sure there are no holes or leakage!

Also Need to Haves

  • Small bowl… You fill the small bowl with water and keep it beside the container. Whenever you cut a stem, you cut it under water. A bowl with 4-5 inches in diameter will be large enough.

 

  • Towel… In order to keep your scissors from rusting, you want to wipe out water from the blades after you cut stems. An old hand towel will be handy.

Nice to Haves (later, but not now)

Those items listed above are all you need to start Ikebana. As you keep practicing it, the next thing you want to add is a tall, slim container.  With two containers, one flat and one tall, your Ikebana repertoire will drastically expand.

As you further advance your skills, you will find yourself adding such items below in your Ikebana tool kit:  Wires, pins, staples, pliers, gloves, nails, hammers, etc.

 

What Is True Meaning of Ikebana

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of ikebana is “the Japanese art of flower arranging that emphasizes form and balance.” This definition, however, doesn’t quite capture the true meaning of the original word in Japanese. What does Ikebana really mean?

Ikebana’s Literal Translation

Let’s decompose the Japanese word “Ikebana.” The word is composed of two kanji characters, “生” and “花”. The first character means life, to live, to give life, or to be alive.  The second character means flowers.

  • Ikebana = “生” + “花”
  • “生” = a life, to live, to give life, to be live
  • “花” = flowers

Ikebana, in Japanese, literally means “to give a life to flowers.”

More than Flower Arrangement

“To give a life” is, obviously, not merely “to arrange” flowers.

But wait! Flowers in the nature are alive.  In order to make Ikebana artwork, you have to cut flowers and branches out of the living plants. Isn’t cutting off of the original plants killing?  How can it possibly “give a life”?

In Ikebana, cut flowers and branches are used not to merely mimic the nature.

Just like a painter uses oil paint or watercolor, and like a sculptor uses a block of wood, you use flowers as medium to express yourself. An artist in you, give a new life to the flowers through your creativity. Your life, not the flowers’, is given to the creation.

Combining these flowers and branches, you create something unique and remarkable, something that never existed before. Just as no two persons are the same, no two Ikebana works are the same, even if the same flowers are used.

True Meaning of Ikebana

As you see now, you, who give life, not the flowers, matters in Ikebana. True meaning of Ikebana is not about flowers, but about YOU! YOU, the creator, give a new life to flowers. That is the true meaning of Ikebana.

Class photos: 8/12/2017

Here are the photos from today’s Ikebana class.  Enjoy!

 

 

Your First Ikebana Arrangement – Step by Step

You might wonder what exactly you do and learn at our Ikebana class. So here is a sneak preview of our first lesson.

Step 1: Remove unnecessary twigs and leaves

We will provide you with branches and flowers. These materials, however, need some thinning before you can use for your arrangement. Using a pair of scissors, you first remove unnecessary twigs and leaves.

Before

After

Step 2: Cut each stem to appropriate length

Ikebana is a three dimensional art.  With three lines, you construct the basic shape of your arrangement. The stems used for these lines are called Shushi (main stems). The longest Shushi is called Shin, the second longest is called Soe, and the third Hikae.

Then you have several Jushi, which are supporting stems. How many Jushi stems you add is totally up to you.

Step 3: Place Shin, Soe and Hikae onto Kenzan

On the first lesson, you place Shin on 10-15 degrees left from upright, Soe on 45 degrees left, and Hikae on 75 degrees right. 

Step 4: Place Jushi to add fulness and depth

Finally, you place Jushi to add fulness and depth to your arrangement.  Another point to remember is to hide Kenzan. 

 

 

That’s it! 

Why not giving it a try? Come sign up for one of our classes at your convenience.

Introductory Workshop

Yesterday we held the first Introductory workshop at  Fran’s Chocolates in Georgetown. Nine people signed up and tried the first lesson [Lesson 1 – 1: Basic Upright Style – Moribana].

Materials used were…. Raspberry foliage, Ninebark, Hypericum, Nigella, Scabiosa.

The workshop was well received and we are planning another one soon. If you are interested in attending the workshop, please contact me.