Module5

Requirements For Ikebana

Intro: So now that you have enough knowledge about the theoretical part of Ikebana, its time to get your hands on the actual art. Though there is no substitute to the workshop, this module will give you an idea of how Ikebana is different from other arts. The first step is to get the knowledge of the tool you will be using. Next the materials and finally the techniques of Ikebana. Basically a bit of theory for the practical part of Ikebana!

The quality that differentiates Ikebana from other forms of flower arrangements is its asymmetry, the way withered flowers, buds, stems, leaves, and even moss and fruit are used to create a complete arrangement. The art is in the selection of material. Each and every thing used in Ikebana has a much deeper significance.

According to the Japanese way of thinking, man must grow and progress in perfect harmony with nature. This is known as the "spirit of harmony". So, Ikebana born at the hands of Buddhist priests is consequently required to be a crystallization of the arranger's spiritual life or thought.

Exactly how flowers were arranged before Buddhist icons in early times is unknown, but it is assumed from later evidence that the typical arrangement consisted of a number of flowers or branches placed casually in a tall narrow necked vase. Sometimes it appears, blossoms without stems were floated on the surface of the water in a shallow bowl or basin. The lotus was intimately connected with Buddhist lore as a symbol of the universe, so it seems likely that the early Buddhist floral offerings centred on this plan.

As you know by now that Ikebana is all a question of your creativity. It's about giving a much deeper significance, as the Japanese have been always doing.

Ikebana tools:

The relationship between the materials; the style of the arrangement; the size, shape, texture, volume and colour of the container; and the place and occasion for its display are all vitally important factors.

1. Containers/ vases: The vases play an important role in Ikebana. The student has to learn to achieve a balance between the flowers and the vases. "If the arrangement is very grand, the vase should be subdued. If the colour of the vase is very dark, flowers should be light in colour. The idea is to achieve a balance in terms of both size and colour. Every school uses different vases, which are of various kinds.

2. Scissors: are seen as a second pair of hands with which to arrange flowers. Flowers, stems, and trees can be cut easily by these scissors. The Ohara and the Ikenobo School use scissors known as warabi-te (bracken handled). Among the various types of scissors used are the gardening and the florists' scissors with large handles. These are excellent for cutting large branches, but for trimming leaves and cutting stems of flowers, these are clumsy and also cumbersome to carry around. There are fine warabi-te scissors that are handmade and others factory-made. While choosing a scissors for yourself, select one that feels a bit small for you and snug when you grasp it.

3. Flower holders: also called spikes or needle-holder, pin-holder or Kenzan, they come in a number of shapes and sizes. They can be square, rectangular, round, quarter-circle and the "sun-moon" (a set which includes a crescent shaped one fitted onto a circle). There are no rules as to which pin holder to use when. It all depends on what fits best into the vase. There is also a special tool for straightening the needles of the kenzan

MATERIALS USED :

What distinguishes Ikebana from other flower arrangement is the fact that in an Ikebana arrangement, a lot of other things play an important role. Another factor that makes Ikebana special is its asymmetry and the use of empty spaces. An arrangement can contain one or many different kinds of materials. Different things used in Ikebana include freshly cut branches, vines, leaves, grasses, berries, moss, fruit, seeds flowers. dried plants.

In contemporary Ikebana even things like glass, metal and plastic are used.

TECHNIQUES :

No amount of techniques can take the place of actual practice. But before you have hands-on experience in the field of Ikebana with an expert, here are a few tips that will help you.

Starter tips

· First, you must realize that what plants look like in their natural state, is the starting point for any work. Once they are cut and removed from nature (or a greenhouse), they become the materials for a composition with its own unique character.

· When examining materials, look at the whole form rather than the captivating details. Sometimes the leaves are more important than the flowers.

· The removal of unnecessary detail is an essential skill. Sometimes removing some flowers, or branches or even trimming helps emphasizing the rest of the arrangement.

Cutting

· Branches should always be cut under water.

· After using the scissors, water should be wiped off the edges and they should be polished and wrapped in oiled cloth to prevent rust.

· Flowers should be cut with scissors before they are set in the vase. The stems should be cut aslant, not horizontally as the branch cut aslant absorbs water more easily.

· Before arranging the materials, unnecessary branches and leaves should be cut.

· While cutting try to give it a 'natural' look.

Setting into the pin-holder

· When the materials in the vase are supported by using the Kenzan, the branch should be set between the pins of the Kenzan with the slant cut end facing the opposite direction from the direction in which the material is meant to face.

· When soft stems such as grasses are to be supported, another stem that is hollow should first be set on the Kenzan. The soft stem is then put into the hollow stem, which supports the soft one.

Congratulations on completing the course on Ikebana. Now you can start making your own Ikebana arrangements. If you have any queries do mail us at asham@zils.com