Art of Ikebana

I may have found my new love, Ikebana. I attended a fantastic workshop last weekend hosted by Junko Popham, as a part of a local arts festival.

FIRST ATTEMPT AT IKEBANA - IMAGE & ARRANGEMENT EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: my first attempt at an ikebana flower arrangement using lily, fatsia and gerbera. 

Ikebana is the fascinating art of Japanese flower arrangement. 'Ike' is life and 'bana' is flower, in Junko's words, "its literal meaning is the act of giving another life to the flowers and allowing them to perform and reveal their innate beauty and spirit". Junko described for us how Japanese gardens imitate nature and then ikebana imitates the garden. 

What really attracts me to ikebana is the appreciation of natural form. All aspects of nature are considered, yes there are colourful blossoms however the form is most essential, greenery is equally as important.

JUNKO'S IKEBANA WORKSHOP - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: images from the workshop, Junko working with an arrangement where the stems are placed in the kenzan (a spiky device) for fixing the flowers into place.

It is sculptural work. Junko describes needing a 'stage' to display the arrangements, a clear background where the forms created can be seen. Western windowsills are not often ideal for this.

I found that ikebana worked best for me in an opaque vase so the stems and prop work are not visible. I would also recommend some professional florist's cutters, these help to angle the cut in such a way to balance the stem against the vase, especially important when attempting to show the best side of the flower/greenery.

JUNKO'S IKEBANA ARRANGEMENTS - IMAGES FROM JUNKO 

above: some fabulous images of Junko's work from her online gallery. 

Ikebana requires some patience, Junko's arrangement above on the yellow background took five hours to complete, not for the faint hearted, however the results are amazing.