Ikebana Influencing on Contemporary Floral Art

Japanese traditional floral design called Ikebana has been often using this particular way of arrangement which features the beauty of graceful linear curve  created with long and thin branches (or twigs). Some other greeneries in the shape of linear curve are used instead of twigs.

From the concept that the mentality of Japanese people respects the harmony, accord and coexistence between human beings and nature rather than fighting against nature, they may have developed this particular way of floral designs which are based on natural lines and spaces of the plant materials rather than adopting patterns of designs which are artificial.

As  this arrangement is heavily influenced by Japanese Ikebana and the arranging style follows the typical Japanese traditional way of decorations, many floral designers often use containers which are flat and shallow like  “Suiban”. Due to the shape of flat and shallow container used for this arrangement, needlepoint holder (also known as frog or pinpoint holder having so many needles mounted on heavy metal plate) similar to “Kenzan” (specifically designed for Ikebana  arrangement) is generally used to make line arrangement of floral decorations.   

According to some people,  American and European floral designs are influenced by Japanese traditional floral art (called Ikebana) especially by the arranging method featuring  grace of beautiful linear lines. And so developed design is now called “line arrangement” in many of Western countries.

Unlike mass arrangements, there are lots of empty spaces  among plant materials in this arrangement and floral designers usually make arrangement to appeal the availability of space among plant materials.  As mentioned above and as its name shows, this design puts emphasis mainly on the grace of line made with thin plants especially the beauty of linear lines consisting of thin branches (twigs), leaves or flowers,  the colors and sizes of flowers are of less concern.

In Japan there are so many instructors and floral artists specializing in Ikebana and many of their flower arranging works are designed  from the concept of emphasizing the beauty of linear line, which is now called “line arrangement” by designers in the United States and most probably in Europe as well.  However  according to my perception,  most of such Japanese floral artists do not recognize that this particular way of Japanese arrangement is now called and categorized in “line arrangement” by American (or European) floral artists.

The world is getting smaller and smaller especially after the internet technology was introduced and people can now access to any kind of information available all over the world. As seen from the situation mentioned above, even traditional cultures such as floral arrangements are influenced each other among Japan, Europe and America.

We are pleased to introduce a variety of articles and stories featuring floral designs and floral art as well as flower arranging schools/classes. If you are interested in learning floral designs, no matter what kind, European floral designs or Japanese Ikebana, wedding or funeral decorations, beginner or professional programs, we are more than happy to help you earn practical skills of floral arrangements. For further information, feel free to contact info@california-academy.com

 


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For those who love flowers and floral designs, especially Japanese traditional floral art called "Ikebana", we are providing various information in addition to offering a variety of Ikebana classes in the San Francisco Bay Area (Burlingame, San Mateo County) and also Silicon Valley (San Jose, Santa Clara County) not only on weekdays but also on the weekend. Our programs are cheap, inexpensive and affordable. If you are interested in taking lessons of Ikebana arrangement, why not join California Flower Art Academy ? You can enjoy hands on training of ONE ON ONE instructions (semi private lessons) by a well experienced Ikebana instructor having more than 30 year experience.

 Mieko HiranoSan Jose, CA408-859-7812

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