Product Description

In this strikingly beautiful and revolutionary work, Kawase has taken a fresh approach to flower arranging, demonstrating through breathtaking color photographs his universally appealing style of bringing nature indoors.

Often misunderstood as a static art form, its rules frozen by generations of teachers, Japanese flower arranging should in fact be a dynamic relationship between man and nature, with every arrangement holding within it infinite possibilities of form and statement.

While based on a thorough knowledge of traditional techniques, Kawase's designs are liberated by his personal response to the natural environment. The arranger, in his view, is an artist, not tied down by the received way of doing things, but free to express himself. The object, ideally, is to create a form of a floral poetry.

Hence the word "inspired" in the title: his aim being to inspire, to suggest new ways of designing with flowers. At the same time, though, he provides practical tips for beginners; explains the importance of using the right containers, and shares his own thoughts on what makes a particular arrangement eye-catching or graceful.

Here, in a new, slightly smaller format than before is one of the most unusual and beautiful books of its kind ever published.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #988965 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 120 pages

Review
"Breathtaking color photography." -- San Francisco Chronicle

"He spins awesome poetry from materials as simple as clematis and maple leaves." -- Chicago Sun-Times

"Stunning" -- Booklist

"These simple but eloquent designs will captivate everyone who encounters them." -- The Garden Book Club (Alternate Selection)

Review

"Stunning"-Booklist
"These simple but eloquent designs will captivate everyone who encounters them." -The Garden Book Club (Alternate Selection)
"Breathtaking color photography." -San Francisco Chronicle
"He spins awesome poetry from materials as simple as clematis and maple leaves." -Chicago Sun-Times

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Japanese

Customer Reviews

art (not instruction)
Beautiful photographs of, yes, inspired flower arrangements. These arrangements go beyond ikebana in the formal sense, and head out into mixed-media art territory. The photography is lovely as well. If you're looking for ikebana instruction, this is probably not it. But if you love plants, art, Asian/minimalist aesthetics, and/or lovely photography, drink deep.

a work of art
Not only the flower arrangements, but also the photography, the re-production, and the text is done with much attention to artistic expression, the book itself is a work of art. A delight for the heart and soul.

Wow!
I got this book out of the library, and it blew me away. It is utterly gorgeous. Not only is there great artistry in the flower compositions, but the photography is wonderful too. There is also wonderful variety, and I liked the seasonal arrangement of its pictures.