Ikebana (生け花) is the Japanese art of flower arrangement where blossoms, branches, leaves, and stems find new life as materials for art-making.
In contrast to western habits of placing flowers in a vase, Ikebana aims to bring out the inner qualities of flowers and its expression.
Considerations of colour, line, form, and function guide the construction of a work.
The spirit of Ikebana can apply to all periods, while the style of works may change overtime.
!["Ikebana Sogetsu" by Sofu Teshigahara (1962) [New study: Root • Materials: Persimmon, chrysanthemum], Fujingaho magazine](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c5e703_41db784ca0a6470595e2e9ac65b44b7b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_95,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/c5e703_41db784ca0a6470595e2e9ac65b44b7b~mv2.jpg)
Sogetsu School
In 1927, when everybody believed practicing Ikebana meant following established forms, Sofu Teshigahara (1900 - 1979) recognised Ikebana as a creative art and founded the Sogetsu school. His ethos - anyone can enjoy Sogetsu Ikebana anytime, anywhere, using any material.
Left: Doris Wong creating a large piece. Right: Inside page of Sogetsu magazine. Below: Sogetsu school logo.
IKEBANA (1956)
A film by Sofu Teshigahara's son Hiroshi Teshigahara (1927-2001), a celebrated Japanese artist and film-maker who became the grand-master of the Sogetsu school in 1980.
Find out more about the Sogetsu Iemoto (headmasters) and their work at the Sogetsu website.