Tag Archives: Japanese ikebana

Ikebana – vision of transcendence

 

The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog - Birch branches and Cymbidium

Birch branches and Cymbidium

The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog

 

 

 

Pat's-Ikebana---Fruiting-branch-with-NZ-flax---2016

Fruiting branch with NZ flax  —  Pat’s Ikebana

Qld, 2016

The traditional practice of the art of Ikebana was always approached with a mindfulness of the inner sublimity and is also known by the name ‘ofkado’ (way of flowers). Being originally developed by practicing temple monks, the spirit of ikebana has survived the centuries since its beginning and is embedded in Japanese culture. I have included a collection of ikebana arrangements from the Queensland Sogetsu ikebanist Pat Mackie, some examples from the Japanese artist Kawase Toshiro and ikebana created with ceramic vessels from the German ceramicist Jochen Ruth. Additional ceramic vessels that can be used for ikebana arrangements are also featured as well as some Indonesian ikebana form Lusy Wahyudi and friends.

 

Kawase-Toshiro Ikebana flowers

Kawase Toshiro ikebana, Japan

Spatial awareness is altered by our higher consciousness, which has a distinct and tangible perspective, and this zone is infused into the aesthetic composition of ikebana. The inner calm of meditation flows from a deconstruction of the habitual clutter of the mind and ikebana became a visual metaphor for this refined state of consciousness. Observation of the innate beauty of the natural world from a heightened perspective was also a key influence and encapsulating this into a simple artistic statement was an integral component of ikebana flower arrangement.

 

Ikebana - Dick-Lehman-pottery

Dick Lehman pottery

 

The Japanese arts in general have been derived from similar influences to the approach with the ikebama arts and the subtle appreciation of balance and space is ever present. In Zen philosophy there are seven aesthetic principles for achieving Wabi-Sabi.
Yugen: subtly profound grace, not obvious, Seijaku: tranquility. Datsuzoku: unbounded by convention, free, Fukinsei: asymmetry, irregularity. Kanso: simplicity. Koko: basic,.weathered, Shizen: without pretense, natural.
It’s easy to see these qualities also evoked in the ikebana arts.The beauty of ikebana exists as a subtle reminder of the depth of aesthetics and balance in nature and is a fine vehicle for reflecting this with indoor decoration.

 

 

Toyohara-Chikanobu-(Japanese-1838-1912)---Flower-Arranging-and-Tea-Ceremony-(1895) Japanese lady creating ikebana

‘Flower Arranging and Tea Ceremony’ – Toyohara Chikanobu (Japanese 1838-1912)

1895

During the Kamakura period (1192 ~ 1333) Ikebana became a form of meditation for Zen Buddhist priests. Floral offerings were placed in front of altars to honor the Buddha and the souls of the dead. These offerings evolved into floral arrangements designed to express the subtle harmony between spirit and matter. Arrangements were originally composed of three main lines of differing height together creating a three dimensional form – the balance between the lines symbolizing the unity between spirit, man and earth.

 

 

Japanese Samurai warrior in fighting pose painting

Japanese Samurai warrior painting

The warrior class or ‘Samurai’ brought great lifestyle changes to Japanese society during the Kamakura period, making it fashionable to display Ikebana arrangements in the homes of wealthy townsmen. Samurai would create Ikebana not merely as a flower arrangement but a short-lived structure reflecting man’s own mortality.

“Ikebana is a form of sculpture that exists only within a limited time span, transforms from moment to moment, then perishes.” — Akane Teshigahara

Samurai would live and die like an Ikebana form but their spirit was believed to be eternal. To reach a state of concentration and become centred, Ikebana was consistently performed by Samurai prior to going into battle. Through this connection with nature, the heart and mind were believed to be purified. Ikebana went on to gain substantial respect and appreciation by the imperial and military leaders of Japan in the Momoyama period (1573~1603), celebrated amongst the Samurai.

new.uniquejapan.com/origins-of-ikebana

 

ikebana-Gunter-Black,-Australia-vessel by Jochen-Ruth

Ikebana arrangement by Gunter Black, Australia, ceramic vessel by Jochen Ruth

 

 

Ikebana-Ikenebo-Rikka-Shimputa i- - Lusy Wahyudi

Ikebana Ikenobo Rikka Shimputai by Lusy Wahyudi, Indonesia

 

 

Ikebana-Japanese-Suzeki-Stone

Japanese Suzeki Stone

 

 

 

Ikebana Ikenebo Rikka Shimputai---Linda Prasasto

Ikebana Ikenebo Rikka Shimputai—Linda Prasasto

 

 

Akira-Satake-ikebana-vase in orange brown finish

Akira Satake ikebana vase

 

Aya-Sogetsu-school-of-ikebana - yellow flower

Aya Sogetsu school of ikebana

 

 

 

Bauhiinia---One-Kind-of-Branch---2013

Bauhiinia tree ikebana — One Kind of Branch—2013

 

 

Bitter-melon-and-Chilli-ikebana-Pats-ikebana

Bitter melon and Chilli   — Pat’s Ikebana

 

Ikebana-Ikenebo-Rikka-Shimputai-----Lusy-Wahyudi - angular vase

Ikebana Ikenobo Rikka Shimputai by Lusy Wahyudi, Indonesia

Lusy Wahyudi – Flickr

 

 

Ikebana-Ikenebo-Rikka-Shimputai-------Lusy-Wahyudi Indonesia

Ikebana Ikenobo Rikka Shimputai by Lusy Wahyudi, Indonesia

 

 

Goro-Suzuki-ikebana-vessel

Goro Suzuki ikebana vessel

 

 

Ikebana-Ikenobo-Jhiyuka---Yohanus-Wemphy geometric floral display

Ikebana Ikenob Jhiyuka — Yohanus Wemphy

 

Ikebana-Ikenobo-Rikka-Shimputai-by-Lusy-Wahyudi-slender red vase

Ikebana Ikenobo Rikka Shimputai by Lusy Wahyudi, Indonesia

 

 

Bromeliad flowers-and-leaves-ikebana---2016

Bromeliad and leaves ikebana — Pat Mackie

Pat’s Ikebana, 2016

 

 

Pat's Ikebana - Bromeliad-leaves-and-blossom----2016

‘Bromeliad leaves and blossom’ — Pat’s Ikebana

2016

 

 

Bunjin-arrangement-Pats-Ikebana yellow flower and driftwood

Bunjin arrangement – Margot Wang

The Bunjin Arrangement is not bound by floral styles, and materials may be freely arranged to express one’s subjective view of plants.  Emphasis is placed on the elegance and poetic nature of rare blooms, shrubs and plants.

 

 

dark-silence-in-suburbia-Yo-Akiyama ceramic sculpture

‘Dark silence in suburbia’ – Yo Akiyama

 

 

Dineke-Beereboom-Db---Two-Of-A-Kind metal sculpture

Dineke Beereboom — ‘Two Of A Kind’

 

 

Emily-Katz ikebana

Emily Katz ikebana

Pura Vida Peartree workshop

 

 

Pats-Ikebana-Eucalyptus-branches-and-Bougainvillea-2015

‘Eucalyptus branches and Bougainvillea’ – Pat’s Ikebana

2015

 

 

Vintage---vase--celadon---porcelain

Small vintage celadon vase

 

 

 

Gold-Bullion-Tokkuri vessel-Ryota-Aoki

‘Gold Bullion Tokkuri’ vessel – Ryota Aoki

 

 

Green ikebana Arrangement--2015

Green Arrangement – Pat’s Ikebana

2015

 

Bizen stoneware, with the characteristic reddish hidasuki or "fire-marked" pattern,

Bizen stoneware vase, with the characteristic reddish hidasuki or “fire-marked” pattern,

 

 

Fukinaga-('From-the-Wind'~ Bonsai ) on wooden base by Vaclav Novak

‘From the Wind’~ Bonsai (盆栽) by Vaclav Novak – Fukinagashi Pinus uncinata

 

 

Ovoid Honda aluminium die cast vessel adapted to Ikebana---Utsuwanote

Ovoid Honda aluminium die cast vessel adapted to an  Ikebana display

Utsuwanote

 

 

ikebana display by Anita Haase Schönbeck,-Berlin ceramic vessel by Jochen Ruth

Ikebana display by Anita Haase Schönbeck, Berlin with ceramic vessel by Jochen Ruth

Jochen Ruth Ceramics

 

Ikebana-by-HIRAMA-Mario,-Japan

Ikebana by Mario Hirama, Japan

 

 

Nordic-Lotus-Modern-basket-ikebana.-Calla-lily,-pine-and-bamboo-stick

Calla lily, pine and bamboo stick

 The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog

 

 

white flower ikebana by Gunter Black,-Jochen-Ruth vase

Ikebana arrangement by Gunter Black, Jochen Ruth vase

 

 

Spring bloom ikebana

Spring blooms ikebana  – Magnolia, snapdragon and succulents

2017

 

ikebana-Gunter-Black,-Australia-Jochen-Ruth - pink flower

Ikebana by Gunter Black, Jochen Ruth vessel

 

 

ikebana by Hans Riester, Berlin ceramic vessel by Jochen Ruth

Ikebana by Hans Riester, Berlin & ceramic vessel by Jochen Ruth

 

 

Ikebana-Hans-Riester,Berlin --ceramic pot byJochen Ruth

Ikebana floral arrangement by Hans Riester,Berlin — ceramic vase by Jochen Ruth

 

 

Ikebana by Karin Kopp,-Ritterhude Jochen Ruth ceramic vessel

Ikebana by Karin Kopp, Ritterhude & Jochen Ruth ceramic vessel

 

 

ikebana-Karin-Kopp,-Ritterhude-Jochen-Ruth

Ikebana by Karin Kopp & Jochen Ruth ceramic vessel

 

 

Burnt orange ikebana-vase-red-zen-georgetown-pottery-

Red Zen  ikebana vase –  Georgetown Pottery

 

 

Ikebana-by-Truus-Esther-(Otomodachi)

Ikebana by Truus Esther-(Otomodachi)

 

 

Ikebana-Ikenebo-Rikka-Shimputai---Lusy-Wahyudi pink and yellow flowers

Ikebana Ikenebo Rikka Shimputai—Lusy Wahyudi

 

 

Ikebana-'On-the-way-to-the-top'-(Otomodachi) climbing pink flowers

Ikebana  ‘On the way to the top’ (Otomodachi)

 

 

Ikenobo arrangement with wonderful pink blossoming flowers-(Otomodachi)

Ikenobo arrangement with pink blossoming flowers – Otomodachi

 

 

ikebana-vase-starry-night-georgetown-pottery

Starry Night  ikebana vase –  Georgetown Pottery

 

 

 

James-Oughtibridge-Chocolate-Brown-creased Vase

James Oughtibridge sculptural vase

 

 

Japanese-Red Maple bonsai_moss and stone gardens

Japanese Red Maple bonsai

Moss and Stone Gardens

 

 

Jochen-Ruth-black glaze vase

Jochen Ruth

 

 

Katsunori-Sawa-pottery-vessel

Katsunori Sawa

 

 

Kurokawa-Tōru---Ceramic sculpture vessel---Mirviss

Kurokawa Tōru — Ceramic sculpture vessel

Mirviss Gallery

 

 

Lamella-Vases

Flat round incised vessels – Lamella

 

 

Amaryllis, Aspedistra, Sibirian Dogwood.

Hanamai Ikebana – Amaryllis, Aspedistra, Sibirian Dogwood

The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog

 

 

Pats-ikebana-Leaves-only-in-horizontal-arrangement--2015

Leaves only in horizontal arrangement — Pat’s Ikebana

2015

 

 

Mihara-Ken-ceramic-vase

Mihara Ken

 

 

 

Pats-Ikebana--2013 red flowers and large green leaves

Pat’s Ikebana

2013

 

 

Pats Ikebana-2016---Vine and giant Allium

‘Vine and giant Allium’ – Pat’s Ikebana

2016

 

Pats-Ikebana-Bromeliad-and-leaves red vase---2016

‘Bromeliad and leaves’ – Pat’s Ikebana

 

 

Peter-Voulkos-ceramic ovoid vessel

Peter Voulkos ceramic ovoid vessel

 

Pats-Ikebana-Poinchiana-Podas-and-Ixora-2015

‘Poinchiana Podas and Ixora’ — Pats Ikebana

2015

 

 

Raku-Vase-Mountain-carved---Blue-Spruce-Pottery

Raku Vase Mountain carved — Blue Spruce Pottery

 

 

Kawase Toshiro Red Blossom ikebana, Japan

Kawase Toshiro Red Blossom ikebana, Japan

 

 

Shino-Suzuku vase

Shino Suzuku vase —Goro Suzuki

 

 

 

 

red vase Straight-Lines---2016-Pats-ikebana

‘Straight Lines’ – Pat’s Ikebana

2016

 

 

Corylus-avelana-contorta, the twisted hazelnut-ikebana

Corylus avelana contorta, the twisted hazelnut ikebana

 

 

Shoka-shimputai-ikebana-Lusy-Wahyudi

Shoka shimputai ikebana – Lusy Wahyudi

 

Zen garden water feature - Tokyotimes

Zen garden – Tokyotimes

 

 

 

Toshiro Kawase - ikebana Japan

Kawase Toshiro ikebana, Japan

 

 

Gohua stone moon-Bonsai-Suseki-gold-forest-in-high-mountain on wooden base

‘Gold forest in high mountain’ – Suseki Gohua stone

 

 

ikebana-arrangement botanical

Ikebana arrangement

 

 

Wood fired Vase-by-Shiho-Kanzaki,-Japan

Wood fired Vase by Shiho Kanzaki, Japan

 

 

The-Nordic-Lotus-Ikebana-Blog

Ikebana display – The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog

 

 

 

Poinchiana-Pods-construction- Pats Ikebana--2015

Poinchiana Pods construction- Pat’s Ikebana

2015

 

Ikebana-'Leaping-salmon'-by Otomodachi

Ikebana ‘Leaping salmon’ by Otomodachi (flickr)

 

 

Pats ikebana-Walking Iris and lilly-2016

‘Walking Iris and lilly’ – Pat’s ikebana

2016

 

 

Wattle-and-Anthurium---2016-Pat's-Ikebana

Wattle and Anthurium  – Pat’s Ikebana

2016

 

Woody-Pear-and-Ixora-Pats-Ikebana-2016 Pat Mackie ikebana

‘Woody Pear and Ixora’ –  Pat’s Ikebana

2016

 

 

 

Yakuza-tattoo figure

Japanese Yakuza tattoo figure

 

Yasuhisa-Kohyama ceramic ikebana vessel

Yasuhisa Kohyama ceramic ikebana vessel

 

 

Yoshihiro-Kunikata-'Black-Pottery--Moon-Trip'

‘Black Pottery–Moon Trip’  — Yoshihiro Kunikata

 

 

Керамика-Pavel-Zamikhovsky.2011

Pavel Zamikhovsky 2011

 

Art-Floral-Ikebana-Mai-Van-Thai-Thomas--red flowers and branches ikebana

Floral Ikebana – Mai Van Thai Thomas

 

 

Ikebana--centerpiece-inspiration-flower-vases-flower-plants-Ikebana 'Red and pink fireworks' (Otomodachi)

Ikebana ‘Red and pink fireworks’  cascading Ohara style by Otomodachi

 

 

 

Ikebana Rikka-Shimputai-by-Lusy-Wahyudi

Ikebana Rikka-Shimputai by Lusy Wahyudi

 

 

The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog

The Nordic Lotus Ikebana Blog