How to Arrange Fresh Flowers for a Japanese Look

The traditional flower arranging techniques of Japan is ikebana, a deeply symbolic floral art form incorporating the earth, humankind and heaven. There are several schools, or disciplines, of ikebana, each teaching a different approach and style to the basic symbolism and unity of color and nature. Ikebana flower arrangements have a quality of minimalism, with an asymmetrical, triangular design of an odd number of elements. To achieve a Japanese look to your flower arrangement, follow a simple, basic approach to ikebana.

Ikebana-style vase
Water
Flowers
Branches or greenery (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Use a vase for your Japanese-looking floral arrangement that has clean and simple lines, without any graphics or designs on it. The vase can be of any shape, low and wide to tall and thin, and color or combination of colors. The vase should not compete with your flower arrangement, but enhance and complement it.
- 2
  Place your tallest flower stem in the vase first. In ikebana this represents heaven and is the primary blossom. It can be a single bloom or a stem with several blossoms, but should be the tallest flower in your arrangement.
- 3
  Add your next flowers to the arrangement, making sure they are approximately two thirds as high as your primary flower stem. This flower or flowers symbolize man in the ikebana design. Remember, in Japanese flower arranging your arrangement must appear open and airy in structure, with a triangular format that is asymmetrical and uses an odd number of elements.
- 4
  Place the shortest flowers, representing earth, in front or to the side.
- 5
  Embellish your Japanese fresh flower arrangement with tree branches, long grasses, or simple greenery, if you wish.

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