The Ancient Art Called Ikebana

by Serapion S. Metilla

Ikebana Professor

What is Ikebana?

Ikebana is flower arrangement but not all flower arrangements can be called Ikebana. Briefly, it means living plant materials in water.

How did it start?

It is said that the first civilization who utilized flowers as an art form were the Buddhist Monks of India. They just gathered some flowers, bundled or just scattered on the altars at the foot of their gods with the belief that their prayers will be heard. This idea later was brought to China via Korea by the traveling Monks and eventually reached Japan.

In Japan, with the support of Prince Shotoko Taishi, the first formal forms of flower arrangements were developed by Ono-no-imoko. a Buddhist priest. The custom of floral offerings to Buddha during the 6th century was called kuge. It was also recorded that in the Nihon Shoki “every plant can well express itself” which is still the same thought behind the art of Ikebana today. Its basic parts are called shin, soe and tai or hikae, interpreted as Heaven, Man and Earth.

The first formal forms of flower arrangements which were done as ritual every morning were called Ikenobo named after the dwelling or “hut near the pond” which Ono-no-imoko used to occupy.

One of the important principles as to the composition of Ikebana is that it should be minimalist as compared to the mass arrangements of the Western World. The traditional styles were the Moribana, Nageire, Shoka or Sheika and Rikka. After World War II, with the influence of the Western World, another style was developed called Jiyuka or free style without named parts anymore which is actually creative style but still retaining the minimalist form.

According to history of Ikebana, the first school of flower arrangement is the Ikenobo School of Floral Art. One of the professors was Hunshin Ohara who created the Moribana style. With some other ideas, he later separated and established his own school now called The Ohara School of Floral Art. Since then, many other floral artists established their own schools. Some of the Major and known Schools now apart from the Ikenobo and Ohara are the Sogetsu, Ichiyo, Ryusei-ha, Chiko, Koryu, Shotokkai, Saga Goryu, Wafu, Enshuryo, Kofu and Isshinkai among many others.

With the popularity of Ikebana and believing that the art of flower arrangement can be a tool to peace and understanding among all peoples of the world, Ikebana enthusiasts and membership in various schools have increased tremendously even as far as Africa, middle East and Russia. This prompted Ellen Gordon Allen, wife of an American General while stationed in Japan just after World War II to evolve the idea of creating a world-wide cultural association now known as Ikebana international. Founded in Tokyo in August 1956 with the purpose of stimulating and cultivating the study of Ikebana in all schools throughout the world, the motto “Friendship Thru Flowers” was adopted. The organization draws masters, teachers and students into close contact and through the publication, keeps them informed of trends and developments in and out of Japan.

An Ikebana International Chapter is composed of members coming from different schools. With the General headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, the different chapters are now grouped into regional organizations, namely North American Region, South American Region, Asian Region where Philippine Chapters belong, Australian-New Zealand Region, Middle Eastern Region, European Region and African Region. World Conferences are held once in every five years in Japan only while the regional conferences are held once in every two years in one of the member country to be decided by their respective regional officials. The Asian Region in particular has thirteen country members, namely Philippines, Bangladesh, China (HK), India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. The first Asian Regional Conference was held in Manila, Philippines. This 2010, it will be the third time the Philippines will be hosting. All conferences whether World or regional are open to any member of Ikebana from all over the world.

Any Ikebana member are encouraged to take up lessons from any of the recognized schools such as Ikenobo, Sogetsu, Ohara, Ichiyo, Ryusei-ha, Chiko, Wafu, Saga Goryu or any school for accreditation most especially if you want to become a teacher. Ikebana International does not promote or give you accreditation except to issue you a membership certificate that you are a member internationally and that you can attend the regular meetings or exhibits of a particular chapter wherever you are. The International Membership fee is $60.00 annually.

The advantage of attending conferences is to be able to meet new friends apart from learning the art of flower arrangement through the exhibits as well as the lecture-demonstrations and or workshops that will be conducted by Ikebana experts. Meeting people from the different parts of the world will make you understand their various cultures, customs and traditions thus making you broadminded which can be a tool for world peace.