Ikebana as Pure, Elegant and Unique Decoration
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“Ikebana is much more than mere floral decoration, it is an art form. It doesn’t only belong to Japan, it belongs to everybody” (Sofu Teshigahara). Ikebana is a disciplined art form where the arrangement is a living thing that brings together nature and humanity. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing sense of closeness to nature.
Ikebana is derived from the Japanese words “ikeru” (meaning “to arrange”) and “hana” (meaning “flower”). The remarkably high development of floral art is attributed to the Japanese love of nature and to the strong desire of bringing nature closer to home. Its value stands in the color combinations, the natural shapes, the graceful lines and the entire arrangement’s meaning.
In principle, Ikebana aims not at bringing a finite piece of nature into the house, but rather at suggesting the presence of nature, by creating a link between the indoors and outdoors. This practice is a sophisticated mixture of creative expression and rigid construction rules. Its basic principle, “less is more”, develops the simple arrangement into a clean, linear and elegant design. There are three basic guidelines that generate the overall arrangement. The primary line is a vertical centerpiece, while the secondary and the tertiary elements are the angled extremities of the arrangement. These directions symbolize the sky, the humanity and the Earth.
The floral arrangement is always in deep contrast with the background against which it is projected, in order to deliver a balanced setting. Moreover, the arrangement’s three dimensions allow for it to be thoroughly admired. Such as nature, Ikebana is asymmetrical, yet balanced, delivering a constant overlapping of strength and weakness, light and darkness, prominence or subtlety. The imperfection, irregularity and simplicity are specific features of this type of arrangement.
The flowers are key elements within this practice. A fully blossomed flower symbolizes the future, a half blossomed one symbolizes the present and a flower bud represents the future. Various types of flowers can be used, such as roses, chrysanthemums, irises, tulips, sun flowers, gladioli, daisies, lilies. These can be complemented with fern leaves and oak, willow, lilac or hazel branches. Ikebana artists consider the pots to be the central elements of creation, as they shelter the roots of the entire arrangement. According to the plants’ dimensions, the pots can be high and flimsy or low and wide. The materials vary from glass, ceramics, metal, wood to stone and they are changed from one season to another. Thus, wickers are to be used in the summer, clay pots in the spring and autumn ane culture makes almost everything else fade out.
Interior Design / Decorating Ideas / Ikebana as Pure, Elegant and Unique Decoration
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