What is so amazing about Japan is the coexistence of a modern progressive society and strong vibrant cultural customs and traditions. Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging was first popularised among the Japanese aristocrats during the period of 794-1192 AD.
My connection to Ikebana is not exactly aristocratic. While taking a "beauty pilates" class (That's how they call it) at the club, I spoke with the French woman next to me. She told me about an Ikebana class, being given in French. I emailed the Ikebana teacher, Misako Kitamura, and was warmly invited to join the group. I was told to meet her and the group at the Hanzomon Metro station sortie 5 (very important! If you take the wrong exit you may find yourself in a completely different part of town).
The Ikebana classes takes place every Thursday morning in a group member's apartment. From the Metro station, we walked to Beatriz's apartment, a Mexican who has been living in Tokyo for the last 4 years. So here we were: Japanese instructor, and five other women of various backgrounds: Thai, French, Mexican, Italian, Israeli/Canadian, all happily sorting, touching cutting and arranging beautiful branches and flowers.
Everybody else is quite advanced while I am still at the Ikebana for dummies stage. What I do know is that today I learned the Moribana style, or, as Misako presents it: Style de Base Verical Moribana. . I took my arrangement to our apartment, but since I do not have a vase, I put the flowers (hopefully temporarily, since I am planning to buy a nice vase) in a frying pan. What you see in front of you, in the frying pan: Enishida (green branches), Bala (yellow roses) and Asta (small purple flowers.)
I can't wait for next Thursday. Hope to introduce you to Nagiere (tall vase flower arrangement)
Pnina
That looks awesome. I love how the Japanese use simple things to create dynamic style and aesthetic. Origami is an obvious example of this, but if you look at Japanese design (particularly with electronics), they tend to create innovative designs that are also very simple. Can't wait to see more of your arrangements.
ReplyDeleteVery cool Piki. I especially like the frying pan!
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