Ikebana

Ikebana

The first school of Ikebana, called the Ikebana, meaning “The arrangement of Flowers of the hermitage along a pond”, was started by the Buddhist Monk Sommu around A.D. 621. Ikebana schools following their own styles and designs, But all such schools follow three basic lines of the traditional Ikebana school, namely, “HEAVEN’’ “MAN’’ And “EARTH”.

A few lines about the Ikebana styles of one such school and the methods they follow are discussed here.

The basic style in this school is the Moribana, meaning “Piled flowers” in which the arrangements are made in shallow containers. The flowers and branches are supported with the help of pin holders (called Kensan in Japanese). This arrangement looks very natural and is often referred to as the natural style of Ikebana. Another style called Nageive, meaning literally “thrown in” needs tall upright vases for making the arrangements. Here also the flowers are arranged as naturally as possible. But in this arrangement the flowers must have sufficient stem length.  Taking into consideration that, a considerable part will remain hidden in the tall container. In this style the flower stems are not held by in holders in the vase but are supported with the help of “cross-bar fixture”, “single-bar fixture”, and “split bar fixture”.
   
There is another method called jiju bana (free flowers) which can be arranged in both Moribana and Negeire styles.