Product Description

Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, is guided by the desire to create harmony between flowers and their surroundings. Thought to be rooted as far back as 600 AD, its name comes from the Japanese ikeru (to keep alive, to arrange) and hana (flower). A sophisticated art form--with its emphasis on form and balance--ikebana is also an unparalleled meditative activity.

Japanese masters have developed the techniques of ikebana over centuries and, while many different styles have evolved, they all share the same fundamental principles. The art embodies aesthetic considerations, knowledge of the natural forms of plants, and a profound under-standing of the space around them.

Unlikely Western flower arrangements, in ikebana "less is more". They key consideration is to use as few stems as possible to compose elegant contours that highlight a flower's beauty. The design must incorporate the space around the flowers in order to strike a delicate balance between all the elements. As such, ikebana arrangements provide the perfect complement for today's pared-down aesthetic.

Ikeban: Japnanese Flower Arranging for Today's Interior equips you with the principles and techniques to begin making your own arrangements, as well as plenty of beautiful photographs for inspiration. These illustrations will teach you to incorporate the elements that surround you in your designs, while addressing such practical considerations as the placement of the flowers, the time of the year, and the changing seasons. In addition to the incomparable satisfaction of creating beauty in your home, the contemplative art of ikebana will prove a perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98140 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-07
• Released on: 2002-09-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

About the Author
Diane Norman is an ikebana master in the Ohara School. On becoming a master, she was awarded the flower name Hosei (abundant sincerity) depicted by the stamp above. She is a member of the Ikebana Teachers Association, Ikebana International, and the Ohara Chapter in London. She contributes regularly to flower-arranging magazines. This is her first book.

Michelle Cornell organizes workshops for people wishing to learn ikebana. Her background in art history and design--and her interest in healing art forms--have led her to promote ikebana on a spiritual level as well as an aesthetic one. Michelle's study of ikebana and her appreciation of what it has to offer persuaded her of the need to present ikebana in a contemporary context. This is also her first book.

Customer Reviews

Follow the instructions, 1, 2, 3
This book provides clear and concise instructions on how to produce arrangements. Along with the beautiful pictures, pen sketches show how each flower should be positioned. Arrangements in diverse locations show just how modern ikebana can be. A wonderful read, whether as a guide to ikebana or as a coffee table book.

Beautiful Photos
I bought this book for the pleasure of viewing, rather than of flower-arranging. The book does a very concise explaining of What is ikebana? and of The Techniques. The picture instructions are simple and easy to follow.

What I love most about the book is the careful and thoughtful planning and presentation of ikebana through the seasons.

I've compared this book to other books at the bookstore, and this by far the only one that lived up to the philosophy and practice of Japanese aesthetics. From what I've read on Zen and its philosophy, there is a concept of "ma" and "wa" - one of which is about enough "blank space" around the art form, that helps the eye to appreciate the quality and beauty of lines / texture / forms / space. This book complies to that philosophy.

I am pleased with the quality of paper, and the general layout of the photos, and there is enough text to support each selected flower-arrangement which is helpful to someone who does not know much about the specific aesthetic discipline that is ikebana.

Thanks.

(On a minor note, the book I bought was printed in 2003, and the cover is different from what is shown on Amazon.com)

Fantastic way to begin!
This book is outstanding! It makes this beautiful art accessible to everyone. I have used it to introduce Ikebana to my students. If I were to own only one book on Ikebana, this would be it!