Ikebana
Ikebana ("living flowers") is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as kado (the "way of flowers").
More than simply putting flowers in a container, it is a deliberate expression bringing together elements of the natural world and the human sphere of influence. Ikebana emphasizes the shape, line, and form of an arrangement--the colors of the blooms, when present, and their abundance or size are secondary. In practice, fewer blooms allow the eye to focus for greater appreciation and the shape and texture of the container, stalks, and leaves take on greater significance. As is often the case in long-studied multi-generational practices of human endeavor, ikebana is based on "rules of threes"-- |
--three geometric points of an arrangement (triangle)
--three symbolic elements:
- "ten" heaven or sky--empty space
- "chi" earth--the plant and its essence
- "jin" human--the container and the act of arranging
--three emphases or animating philosophies:
- Nageire--condensed, asymmetrical arrangement where the form is apparent
- Seika or Shoka--accents the simplicity and uniqueness of the plant itself
- Jiyuka--more recent and modern, "free": creative design