Any flower used is itself a component, a part of the whole ikebana composition. All aspects are important to the aesthetic result. However, much deeper than the visual effect, the theme or the inspiration for the form and structure is just as significant and lends a richer meaning to the ikebana flower arrangement.
Given the long history, tradition and continuous development that underpins ikebana, the arrangement may also contain symbolic elements, often reflecting nature other than the natural material used for the arrangement. The understated effect achieved in many ikebana displays, coupled with the deeper associations that may be present, lend many of the finest ikebana outcomes an almost spiritual quality.
Ikebana is believed to date back to the seventh century, and was rooted in the Shinto religion. Over the centuries it has been influenced by other religions and philosophies related to Japanese history, including having been part of the samurai culture. Hence the ikebana practitioner often exhibits a theme, which might be rooted in, for example, Zen Buddhism or poetry such as the haiku. All of the concept works within certain principles, which have evolved and been expounded further by different ikebana schools. The most popular school is the Sogetsu school.
Differences Between Traditional Western Flower Arrangements and Ikebana
Traditional Western flower arrangements tend to focus on the bloom with everything else secondary, and tend to have large numbers of flowers. Ikebana design is almost the opposite, with a balance between any flower or plant and the other components, few flowers or even a single plant and the life-cycle of the bloom is important. For example, a bud may mean the present or future and other components will in all probability be used specifically in a symbolic way.
Ikebana Equipment
The ikebana flower can be almost any plant, though flowers are most popular for obvious reasons. Care is taken to ensure that the plant will last for as long as possible in the display, by cutting the flower at an optimum time such as early morning or evening, keeping it in water and cutting the stem diagonally to the required length while keeping it underwater, all of which helps maintain the plant at its best.
Ikebana vases are integral to the final appearance and while advanced practitioners sometimes demonstrate fascinating variations, novices are encouraged to use plain but elegant containers in base colours and materials, often linked to any seasonal aspect of the theme. Any vase or container needs to be kept clean and pristine. Most ikebana has a base known as a dai, placed either underneath or instead of the vase, which can be expensive as it is often key to the final form that one is trying to achieve.
The ikebana kenzan is the essential part of equipment for Sogetsu-inspired arrangements. This is the pinholder which will hold pins in different structures and numbers, so that an ikebana practitioner often has a stock of different shapes and sizes of kenzan, though all will have started with a single kenzan initially and built their range over time.
The only other tool that is actually required to start is a pair of scissors but most ikebana exponents will have specialized tools such as hasami, or Japanese scissors, knives, small saws, wire, raffia and other accoutrements that again can be built up as one progresses in experience, capability and skill level.
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