Lilies of Ikebana

Within this article, we are going to examine Japanese flower arrangement art Ikebana and lily implementations through Ikebana.

The name of Ikebana is delivered from the Japanese words “ike(生)” and “bana(花)” in Japanese, it means “to give a life to flowers”. It is more than a flower arrangement. There is a philosophy behind it which is more related with the artist. The art is based on the harmony of flowers. A successful arrangement incorporates these concepts as visible in the color combination, shape, flow, and meaning of the plants.

History of Ikebana

This art appeared almost 600 years ago in the manuscript of “Kao irai no Kadensho” from 1486. Believed to be the oldest manuscript of Ikebana teaching. Believed that the tradition dates back to Heian Period, when floral offerings were made at Altars.

Ikebana developed from Buddhist flower offering rituals dating back to the 6th century, when the Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China. In the 15th century this flower arrangement technique took off as an art from independent of its religious origins.

Rules of Ikebana

Ikebana developed through time from minimalistic arrangements to more contemporary and decorative designs. The most simple rule of Ikebana is the rule of three also known as the most basic moribana style.

• In the middle there is the longest stem, shin. This stem represents heaven. The stem is 1.5 taller than any other flowers or branches. The stem is set leaning 10 degrees left side from the base.
• Left side of the shin there is soe which represents earth. This part is tilted 40 degrees to the left side of the base and has the3 quarters length of the longest stem.
• On the right side there is the shortest stem called tai. This stem is tilted 70 degrees to the right side and has the length 3 quarters of the second-longest stem.

Principles of Ikebana

Less is more: While most of the flower arrangers filling the vase with flowers, ikebana goes for structure, space, and minimalism.

Asymmetrical balance: Asymmetry is an essential element in anyIkebana flower arrangement. Designs which are asymmetrical are more dynamic andactive. Nature is never perfectly symmetrical, so Ikebana also do.

Harmony: Yin-yang principles in design do not necessarily mean symmetry, but rather the balance between the different flowers and elements in a composition. Opposites completing each other.

Ephemeral: Transitory nature of reality. The ephemeral side of Ikebana helps us to love and to respect it in the real moment of its existence.

Space: As in our lives, we need to space to breath. If our space restricted, we cannot grow. The concept of MA tells us to this. Empty space plays an essential part of any Ikebana arrangement.

Implementation of Lilies to Ikebana

As we treatened in our previous blog “7 Tips For Arranging a Flowers”, “Implementation of Lilies to Ikebana” has some mutual essentials, so some of these recommendations should ignore: Like filling with greeneries or using these greeneries at an early stage.

Today, there are four main styles of Ikebana. These are: “Rikka”(Standing flowers), “Nagarie” (Throw in), “Moribana” (Piled-Up) and “Shokai”(Living flowers)

We are going to examine Moribana style. Firstly we should determine three primary stems of Moribana, these are: Subject stem (Shin), Secondary stem (Soe), Object (Tai or Hikae).

We can specify our lily as a Shin, Soe or Hikae. It’s related with the artist. There isn’t any rule, but the longest stem should be a Shin.