Giving Life to Flowers with Ikebana

“To see the whole universe contained in a single flower.”~ Toshiro Kawase

Over 50 exhibitors displayed more than 70 arrangements at The Naples Ikebana International Floral Exhibit, recently held at the Naples Botanical Garden.

Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of arranging flowers and has been a tradition for centuries. Originally, it was used as a special arrangement for altar offerings. Even fearsome Japanese samurais were said to have practice Ikebana as a relaxing hobby. The 19th century Japanese women were told that if they master the art of Ikebana, they’ll have a better chance of marrying a good husband and becoming a good wife and mother.

This 500-year-old Japanese tradition of arranging natural materials, including flowers, twigs, freshly cut branches, berries, seeds, grass or vines, is still a big part of modern-day Japan. But the world has also joined in the practice of Ikebana.

Ikebana is very different from the traditional western floral arrangements. The design is a minimalist display of beauty, harmony and simplicity. It is sparse with fewer stems and leaves with the highlight on the beauty of the flower. To a practitioner of Ikebana, it is about focus and patience and through years of training, they master the style.

For the true masters, Ikebana has a strong spiritual element. For them it can be a form of meditation where they focus on placing the flowers and think of its relationship to the other elements. It is believed that the arrangement is similar to how the heavens, the earth and humans are harmoniously connected with each other.

Sometimes it is so much easier to throw a handful of flowers into a ceramic jug! But for Ikebana practitioners, it is about the philosophy with its ancient Buddhist roots “that God resides in all things natural.” Suddenly Ikebana makes sense!

For some, it might take three to five years of proper training to gain mastery of the Ikebana art. Modern Ikebana arrangements are frequently used in homes, schools, restaurant, offices and in many public places.

For Sue Pigman of the Naples Ikebana Chapter, she attributes Ikebana’s local popularity to the exposure that it has received at the Naples Botanical Gardens. Many people who visit the gardens also discover the Ikebana exhibit and when you see it, it draws you in. According to Sue, the typical Naples Ikebana member may be also a garden club member, an artist in other mediums, or just someone that wants to explore something new and different.

For more information on Ikebana, visit the Naples Ikebana Chapter website at: www.ikebananaples.com. They have over 70 members.

Please save the date: The 2020 Ikebana Floral Exhibit will be held on February 7 & 8, 2020 at the Naples Botanical Garden.