Ikebana - How to Use the Kenzan

What a fantastic day at the weekend with an inspiring ikebana workshop hosted by Junko Popham.  In this class we learnt how to create an arrangement using the kenzan.

MY IKEBANA ARRANGEMENT - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: my latest ikebana arrangement using the kenzan, gerbera & gladioli 

The kenzan, also known as the spiky frog, is a tool for holding the arrangement in place. It is made from a heavy lead (to prevent tipping) and brass needles which the foliage is then placed into. The kenzan is then submerged in a low vase with about an inch of water.

I was quite excited to learn how to use the kenzan in this class. It creates those classic ikebana arrangements that are unique to Japan. The nearest we have in western flower arranging could be the florists foam block - not something I'm a great fan of, squeaky, fiddly and seems quite wasteful as we throw them away so easily.

IKEBANA WORKSHOP WITH JUNKO POPHAM - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

top: junko popham teaching ikebana at the workshop, bottom: arrangements being created

Junko showed us how to place the flowers and foliage for the best effect. The arrangement needs to appear natural and follows the form of how a plant would grow. Junko explained that to achieve this we also need to create depth and layering. Flowers and foliage presented in a line look too much like a stage set, the arrangement is best when it flows naturally.

ARRANGEMENTS BY KATIE & AMY - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above left: katie's ikebana arrangement with seed heads and daisies from her garden, above right: amy's ikebana arrangement

Here are some of the fabulous arrangements from the class using gerbera, gladioli, daisy heads, seed heads, a dahlia - some great picks from the garden.

ANGELIKA'S ARRANGEMENT - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

bottom left: angelika's arrangement, bottom right: angelika creating her arrangement

HATTIE'S & GABBY'S ARRANGEMENTS - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above left: hattie's arrangement with a dahlia from her garden, above right: gabby's arrangement using seed heads

JESSICA'S ARRANGEMENT - IMAGES EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

above: jessica's arrangement with a greater mix of colour.

Junko has a new ikebana class starting soon at the Wonder Inn, every Thursday at 6.30pm. Be sure to book in!