The History of Japanese Flower Arranging

Early History

• Buddhist priests in India during the 5th century first scattered branches and stems on their sacred alters. Instead of putting flowers on the alter, Chinese monks placed flowers in bronze vases using bright colors. The first Chinese floral arrangements were large and symmetrical with lighter colored flowers surrounding darker flowers in the center. By 600 A.D., Japan had adapted and expanded many of China's floral arrangement methods.

Ikebana History

• A Buddhist monk, Ikenobo Sen'ei, started Japan's first floral art school in the 1500s at the Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto. The word ikebana means giving life to flowers. Carefully placed in vases, the early style of "kuge" used a minimum amount of flowers and evergreen branches. The placement and angle of each flower and branch had meaning. The method evolved into the main principle of ikebana, line arrangement that emphasized the spiritual connection between heaven, earth and man. Lotus and peach blossoms, iris and white chrysanthemums are common flowers used in arrangements.

Rikka

• Rikka, the most formal style, originated in the 16th century and was used mainly in ceremonies. The style used special wiring techniques that did not allow flowers to touch the edge of the vase. Nine stems of varying lengths and shape expressed the beauty of natural landscape. The vase was 8 to 12 inches tall. Each stem was a clean straight line rising from the center at fixed angles. A modern style of Rikka, introduced in 1999, permits more personal expression and creativity without specific angles.

Nageire

• Nageire, a less formal style, means "thrown in" and represented the natural beauty of flowers. Developed in 1684 and popular with ordinary citizens, it stressed a spontaneous design with a single long branch and shorter branches with flowers placed in a tall vase. The arrangement did not require special wires to hold the flowers away from the vase's edge. Just as in nature, flowers and branches were allowed to cross each other giving a naturalistic feeling.

Moribana

• Moribana---"piling up flowers"---is the easiest and simplest 20th century method for beginners. Arranged in either the upright or the slanted style, flowers and branches are placed in a shallow wide container or basket. Either style creates volume and space with only a few items when viewed from every angle. However, the slanted style gives a more delicate appearance than the upright style. These two approaches, perfectly suited for interior design, are the most popular Japanese styles used in the West since the 1950s.