Category: Ikebana

Teaming up with Volunteer Park Conservatory

Volunteer Park is an oasis in a rather busy Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle.

In the 48-acre park overlooking Space Needle to the west, there stand two buildings that have a deep connection with Ikebana.

One is Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM).  It has hosted Ikebana International (I.I.) Seattle Chapter #19’s annual exhibition for years. On a weekend in May, we I.I. members would display various Ikebana arrangements as well as perform Ikebana demonstrations at the auditorium.  Members of I.I. would take turns demonstrating arrangements.  When was the last time I took turns?    The pandemic has halted our annual rituals, but hopefully we can return to this wonderful venue.

Another one is Conservatory.  This unique building hosts so many tropical plants and flowers.     And it’s a pleasure for us Mercer Island Sogetsu Group members to display Ikebana every fall.

This year we had a bonus opportunity at Conservatory… to celebrate SAAM’s 90^th anniversary, Conservatory invited our group to display Ikebana arrangements this week!

Since Conservatory has abundant green foliages, they always supply us with green materials.  We are to bring our own flowers. 

The temperature inside the building is kept warmer to fit tropical plants.  The exhibition lasts for a week, so I had to be careful in selecting flowers, to choose hardy ones. 

Alstroemeria is always a safe bet.  This flower lasts long, normally longer than its leaves.  When using this flower, I trim most of the leaves first.  In order to create more volume, I sometimes weave the stems to make a cluster of flowers. 

I chose bright yellow alstroemeria for this arrangement to create a high contrast with the shiny, wide-green foliage of tropical plants.  To give it a soft image, I added solidago flowers, also taking out most of the little leaves.  In the front I placed lacy foliage of mugwort.

Another simplistic arrangement.  Another simple joy of Ikebana. Congratulations, SAAM!

This is how I enjoyed its short but gorgeous bloom

It’s been a while since I last wrote about the 64^th Annual Exhibition of our Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19.  Did the wisteria flowers last throughout the exhibition?  The trick is to dip the cut stem in alcohol for a while.  Did it work?

Well, not quite.  It got unusually hot on that weekend.  The air condition didn’t work in the venue somehow.  I ended up making a different arrangement every day, using wisteria flowers.

On Friday morning I cut a curvy branch of wisteria and place it in a square container with wavy design.  I liked the combination very much, and was hoping that the arrangement would last through Sunday. 

On Saturday morning I cut out a long branch of wisteria and brought a matching long-neck container to the exhibition venue, just in case.  Well, that just in case became the reality.  The wisteria flowers of the previous arrangement wilted quickly over night.  I had to replace it with my new arrangement. 

On the final day, I ended up arranging a new one again.  I had no more long branches of wisteria flowers.  Short stems were all I had left.  To counter act the shor and bulky wisteria flowers, I chose a longer branch of rhododendron and placed it on the opposite side. 

The vase  needed to be tall enough so that the wisteria flowers would touch the table surface.  I chose this vintage bamboo container with lacqerware. 

I learned that wisteria flowers, no matter how careful you treat them, have short lives once they bloom.  Rather than trying to prolong them forcefully, why not enjoy the short but gorgeous peak to the full? 

Thank you, wisteria, for your company.  See you again next year!

Introducing another Ikebana school

The 64^th annual exhibition of Ikebana International Seattle Chapter finished the first day with so much excitement.  For the first time in three years, we got together in-person and appreciated the beauty of 27 displays of flower arrangements from different schools.

Two of the arrangements are works of Koryu古流、one of the oldest Ikebana schools. 

Koryu dates back to 1770, when the picture of an Ikebana arrangement by the founder Imai Isshiken Sofu appears in the book published that year. 

Koryu emphasizes the way flowers exist in nature.  Without bending or altering too much, Koryu pursues to follow natural laws as much as possible. 

The photo above is one example of Koryu style.    

Here is another example.  They don’t use too many different kinds of materials.  Simple, yet harmonious beauty is created. I hope you enjoy both of them.

Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19’s 64^th annual exhibition this weekend

Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

Among many events held in Seattle, two of them particularly remind me of the joy of spring.  One is Cherry Blossom Festival in April, the other is Annual Exhibition held by Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 in May.

At the Cherry Blossom Festival, I enjoyed making five Ikebana arrangements on stage in 45 minutes.  You can see four of the arrangements I had prepared at home the day before the demonstration.  I would say, the demonstration was 80 % successful.  It took longer than I had planned to make the first two arrangements.  Well, happenings were to be expected. 

All the arrangements were to be taken down immediately after the demonstration was over.  At least I didn’t have to worry about stability of the arrangements too much. 

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The annual exhibition this weekend, however, has a different challenge.  I have to create only one arrangement, but it will be displayed for two full days.  Many people will come to the event.  There will be “please do not touch” signage, but visitors don’t necessarily follow such signs. They might touch the flowers.  At the exhibition, the stability of each arrangement is a much higher priority than with the demonstration. 

I spent some time this afternoon contemplating what kind of arrangement I should make. I imposed on myself two requirements.  First, do not buy flowers, but cut out whatever is in bloom in the yard. Second, use a container that I haven’t used for a while.

These three flowers are available: azalea, wisteria, and Mexican orange, as shown in the photo above.  How should I combine these three flowers? 

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This is what I came up with.  The natural curve of the wisteria branch kind of repeats the surface design of the container. How do you like it?

Wisteria tends to wilt quickly.  After I cut the end of the stem underwater, I dipped it in sake for about 15 seconds.  In addition, I added a little bit of sake to the container of the water.  Use sake to prolong wisteria, is one of the tips I learned from my Ikebana teacher. 

Let’s hope the wisteria flowers will stay fresh!  (I will report to you if the flowers were kept in good shape for two days.)

Preparing for the upcoming Ikebana demonstration

This week is all about Ikebana for me.  My online Ikebana classes are scheduled for tomorrow and my in-person classes are on Saturday.  And there is an Ikeabna demonstration at Cherry Blossom Festival in Seattle Center on Sunday.

This morning I went to the local wholesale florist to purchase flower materials for the Saturday in-person and for the demonstration on Sunday.

Demonstrations are always fun as well as horrifying because almost nothing goes as previously planned.

I first rough sketch how I envision creating arrangements. The demo time is 45 minutes, so I figure I will make 4 to 5 different types of arrangements.  The first one is the most basic, and I will explain how the three stems define the basic structure of the arrangement. 

Then I will transit to showing several freestyle arrangements, each of which has some particular themes.  Am I emphasizing the beauty of lines?  Rhythm of the materials? The color contrast?  Or combinations of all three elements?  I choose containers and flower materials to match the styles I have in mind.

Then I go to the flower shop.  Chances are that I can’t find some of the materials I want.  On the fly I either have to ditch the plan to make that arrangement or look for materials that are close enough.

Today I was lucky to find materials for four out of five arrangements I planned. After I came back, I tried to put together each of them and took photos.

The first photo is a very basic one.

Next is a tall arrangement with alstroemeria and veronica.

Palm leaves and anthurium

The name of these tulips is “Shogun.”  I couldn’t help but buy them!

No matter how much I prepare beforehand, however, demonstrations rarely go exactly the way I expect.  I might cut branches too short or keep them too long.  Since I arrange flowers from behind, The condition of the flower materials may change by then.

The best thing I can do on stage on Sunday, is that I enjoy myself creating something new and beautiful every moment.      

Sogetsu School is avant-garde

Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

Founded in 1927 by Teshigahara Sofu, Sogetsu School is well known for its free, avant-garde Ikebana style.

Western magazines such as Time in the US and Le Figaro in France appropriately called Teshigahara Sofu (1900 – 1979), the founder of Sogetsu School, “Picasso of flowers.”  Sofu was instrumental in elevating Ikebana to an art form.

The motto of Sogetsu School is “Ikebana Anytime, Anywhere, Anybody.”  The arrangement is not limited to being displayed in only Tokonoma, but anywhere.  People can freely select where to arrange flowers and when.  Sofu created a methodological curriculum so that anybody who follows the textbook can create a beautiful arrangement from day 1.

Sofu was a great marketer as well. 

Soon after World War II, GHQ officers came to Japan as well as diplomats from all over the world with their own families.  Sofu taught Sogetsu Ikebana to their wives in English.  They took lessons from Sofu, and got teacher’s certificates.  When they went back home, many started teaching Sogetsu Ikebana in their own countries.

I happened to learn Sogetsu Ikebana in Seattle.  I owe to Sofu and those wives who had studied Ikebana way before I was born.  Thanks to them, Sogetsu Ikebana is so prevalent all over the world and I’m one of the beneficiaries. 

Moribana: Innovation by Ohara School of Ikebana

Moribana Style of Ohara School Ikebana: Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

While Japan closed its doors to the world from the early 17^th century until the late 19^th century, Ikebana became prevalent among people in Japan.  Not only the ruling samurai class but also the general public enjoyed arranging flowers. 

Most houses in Japan had an alcove called Tokonoma, and people displayed Ikebana there.  Since the alcove’s platform was low, people used a rather tall vase for their Ikebana. 

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Japan opened its country to the west in the late 19^th century.  The new Meiji government began to construct western-style buildings.  Foreigners came in and started building western-style homes.  These western-style buildings didn’t have Tokonokoma but were furnished with tables and chairs. 

Ohara Unshin, the founder of Ohara School of Ikebana, realized that the way to display Ikebana arrangement needs to adapt to the new building style. Replacing the previously used tall vase with a small opening, he originated and actually designed the low, flat, wide-surfaced Moribana containers for the many colorful flowers from the West. 

This new container shape greatly enlarged the scope of expression available to Ikebana.  Moribana became the main style and contributed to the increasing popularity of Ikebana.

The invention of Moribana-style ikebana is one example of how innovation enables tradition to survive and thrive. 

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In 2019 in Seattle, the fifth-generation headmaster Ohara Hiroki performed an Ikebana demonstration wearing Microsoft Holo Lens.  It was the world’s premier of combining the traditional Ikebana installation and cutting-edge mixed reality technology.

This innovative spirit of Ohara School is still alive today.

Thanks to the global economy

Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

I enjoy the bright red foliage of anthurium in my living room.  Yes, nowadays many more people are interested in indoor plants as a way to bring nature into their homes. 

But I didn’t grow up with indoor plants at home in Japan.  That doesn’t mean my parents weren’t nature lovers.  Far from it.  They used to grow bonsai trees, most of them azaleas, for years.  Once in a while, my father would decorate the entrance with the beautiful bonsai tree, full in bloom.  But as soon as the flowers were gone he took the bonsai tree back outside.

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Why didn’t my parents keep bonsai trees indoors? Since I had no knowledge about growing bonsai trees, I googled and found out its general practice.

Usually, a bonsai tree is taken from nature, and the growing environment should be closer to its original place.  In most places in Japan, there are distinct four seasons.  In the cold winter, trees become dormant. If the bonsai tree is grown indoors all year round, it can’t be exposed to the natural rhythm and it won’t survive. 

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Nowadays we are living in comfortable conditions with temperature control all year round.  Japan’s native plants are not suitable for such a condition, but tropical or semi-tropical plants are perfect.

Anthurium is from Central America.  Monstera, another of my favorite indoor plant, is also native to Central America.  So are many indoor plants.  Without the advancement of global trade, the beautiful red foliage wouldn’t have reached my living room…

The oldest school of Ikebana

Ikenobo Style Flower Arrangement: Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

Among so many different schools of Ikebana that exist today, Ikenobo池坊 is by far the oldest with over 600 years of history. 

The spirit of Ikenobo, therefore, is the spirit of Ikebana as a whole.  Even students of other Ikebana schools benefit by learning the spirit of Ikebana that Ikenobo teaches.

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What is Ikenobo’s spirit?

Flowers are not only beautiful but also reflect:

• The force of nature with which plants live in harmony.
• The feelings in our own hearts, and
• The passing of time.

In traditional styles of Ikenobo flower arrangement, branches represent mountains and flowers, water.  Nothing exists in separation, but everything in nature exists in harmony.  The arrangement is an expression of nature in an abstract form.

We humans are part of nature, and our feelings are also expressed through the arrangement.

With not only the flowers in full bloom but also hard buds, the arrangement expresses the impermanence of life. 

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The photo above is an example of an Ikenobo-style arrangement.  I hope you enjoy it.

A small temple in the middle of Kyoto is the birthplace of Ikebana

Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto: Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

In the middle of the city of Kyoto, surrounded by tall, modern buildings of steel and concrete, this hexagonal-shaped temple building stands humbly. 

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Called Rokkakudo Temple, named after its shape (Rokkaku means hexagon), this temple is far from grander.  But for us, the students of Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arrangement, this temple is a place of significance.

The sign of Rokkakudo Temple says “The Birthplace of Flower Arrangement” Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa

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Ikebana, as we know it today, dates back to the Muromachi Period in the fifteenth century.

The ruling samurai clan in Muromachi Period (1336 – 1573) started to build gorgeous houses with alcoves called tokonoma. These alcoves became the special space to display a household’s precious treasures. The samurai showed off their ornate vases imported from China by decorating them on the tokonoma.

It was one of the tasks of the Dohoshu, usually Buddhist monks who served the Muromachi shogunate and other powerful samurai clans, to decorate the tokonoma with beautiful flowers and plants.

One day, Ikenobo Senkei（池坊専慶）, a Buddhist monk of Rokkakudo Temple, was invited to a samurai’s residence and made a gorgeous flower decoration.  The decoration was so impressive that another monk who saw it wrote how great it was in his journal. 

Thanks to this monk’s writing, we know that it was precisely in 1462.  Hence Rokkakudo Temple is said to be the birthplace of Ikebana, and the Ikenobo School is said to be the origin of Ikebana.

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Ikenobo School is the oldest, and the largest school of Ikebana today.  Behind the Rokkakudo Temple is the headquarters of Ikenobo School.  Many students come to take classes here. 

In front of the headquarters building is an Ikebana sculpture.  This sculpture is modeled from a painting of arrangements made by Ikenobo Senko 池坊専好(1575 – 1658).

Source: Ikenobo School Website