Ikebana Canberra
By Sachie Terasaki
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the Japanese traditional art of flower arrangement. “Ike (Ikeru)” means to give life / arrange and “Bana (Hana)” means flowers. Ikebana is also known as Kado which could be literally interpreted as "A road to flowery beauty".
What is special about Ikebana?
Fundamental ideas of Ikebana are closely associated with the Japanese traditional philosophy of beauty. It is about appreciating the beauty of nature in each season. Ikebana uses branches and leaves along with flowers. Water and withered leaves can also form part of arrangement, which represents the beauty of nature.
What is the history of Ikebana?
The origin of Ikebana is believed to lie in the traditional custom of serving flowers, especially in Shintoism and Buddhism. Ikebana was first established in the 15th to the 16th Century when Buddhist monks created the form and theory of Ikebana. It was also practiced by masters of the tea ceremony. In the 17th Century, Ikebana became popular and began to be practiced among people. (Want to know more.)
Which school does Ikebana Canberra belong to?
There are a number of Ikebana schools in Japan.
Ikebana Canberra follows the Sogetsu school of Ikebana.
The Sogetsu school was founded in 1972 by Sofu Teshigawara whose father was also an Ikebana artist. Sofu questioned the traditional form of Ikebana and encouraged free expression by Ikebana artists in the form of Ikebana.
