Floral offerings have been used since ancient times when primitive man developed burial rites. In Japan, formal usage of plant materials, along with Buddhism, was introduced. from China in the sixth century as offering to Buddha. This eventually spread from the temples to the imperial courts and gradually into homes, ostensibly as altar offerings but also to be viewed and admired. An alcove area evolved in the drawing room and this became the tokonoma in which the floral arrangement was placed. An early formalized style called TATEHANA, which used a vase with standing flowers, was set in the tokonoma as well as at the altar. A more casual style called NAGEIRE was used in tea ceremonies and in the home.
IKEBANA means the art of arranging flowers. IKENOBO means “a priest’s hut near a pond” and is also the surname of all of the headmasters. The IKENOBO SCHOOL had its early beginnings in Rokkakudo, a six-sided Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, considered to be the founding place of ikebana. Formalization took place over 500 years ago in the 15th Century. The spiritual foundation of Ikenobo Ikebana was laid in the 16th Century by Senno Ikenobo. A way of flower arranging which reflects the beauty of nature and the human heart was established. Leaves and branches were used along with flowers to bring out the ideal image of plants. This spirit of harmony is carried out by succeeding Ikenobo headmasters and is the essence of Ikenobo Ikebana. In the latter part of the 16th century, native arts and culture reached full maturity. Living quarters were enlarged. Tatehana took on a larger, grander form called RIKKA which became very popular. Over the years, other styles of Ikebana emerged in response to changing lifestyle and thinking of each age.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MAIN STYLES OF IKENOBO IKEBANA:
RIKKA: As the popularity of Tatehana spread in the 16th Century, a more complex structured way of arranging flowers and branches evolved into Rikka. Following strict rules, a three dimensional effect is created by the use of nine primary branches. The goal is to present the beauty of natural landscapes, depicting rivers and mountains. The principles remain the same, but the forms of Rikka have changed over the years, culminating in the refined Meiji Rikka. A modern style, making use of Western as well as traditional materials, also evolved, showing that even the oldest form of ikebana can be adapted to contemporary life.
Rikka was originally used at the altar but then moved out to larger areas as its popularity flourished among court nobles. A large arrangement over 23 feet wide was exhibited by Senko I in the late 16th Century.
SHOKA SHOFUTAI: In the late 17th Century, as the styles of architecture changed and floral arrangements were used more and more for decorative purposes, the simple style of Nageire developed into the more formalized Shoka. This form expresses the “power of life felt upon viewing plants growing in the earth.” The beauty of the materials is brought out, not as cut flowers but as expression of growth and life in nature. Shoka Shofutai thus represents the spiritual aspect of Ikenobo Ikebana.
As in Rikka, strict rules for placement of materials have been established. Three main branches are used. The main one, Shin, represents the will or determination of the plant to grow towards the sun. The shortest group, Tai, is the symbol of the ground in which the plants grow. Soe contrasts with Tai and extends toward the light. The concept of In and Yo (Dark and Light) plays a strong part in Shoka. The container or the vase must also be appropriate. All branches come together at the base at the Mizugiwa which represents water. In both Shoka and Rikka the Mizugiwa provides a beautiful transition between the vase and the materials as the stems emerge from the surface of the water. Shoka in the traditional manner is done with one material or two materials. A more modern approach is with three materials. Variations of Shoka styles can be done in a number of different containers. Hanging arrangements are made in a boat or moon containers. They may also be hung on the wall in bamboo vases or baskets. Other forms include bamboo vases with one or two openings and Futakabu or two group arrangements.
MORIBANA AND NAGEIRE: The smaller size and increasing westernization of Japanese homes and changing lifestyles led to the development of these two forms of ikebana in the late 1800’s. Moribana is created in a flat container while Nageire uses a tall vase. Both are less formalized than Shoka or Rikka but still contain the three main branches. Some consider these styles a liberation from the more fixed and ritualistic forms of Rikka and Shoka Shofutai. They express a more modernized or westernized philosophy of flower arranging with room for free expression. The style is casual but naturalism is still preserved.
FREESTYLE: As the Japanese way of life changed further in the 2Oth Century, so also did the ikebana styles. Influences of avant garde art were felt. Freestyle resulted from the idea that flowers should be arranged in accord with up-to-date thoughts and feelings. It provides the arranger the opportunity to express his/her inner image or feelings by composition of colors, shapes and textures of the material rather than by presenting the natural figure of living plants. Freestyle arrangements may be made as a decoration or as a work of art. Materials are not confined to living plants; dried or artificial flowers and non-plant substances may be used. The vase is part of the composition. The arranger can show a realistic representation of the materials in a naturalistic style or express emotion or fantasy in a symbolic or abstract way.
SHOKA SHIMPUTAI: The newest style was developed by the current headmaster, Sen’ei Ikenobo. In contrast to traditional Shoka Shofutai, the natural beauty of plant materials is brought out in a more personalized way, reflecting the inner feelings of the arranger. It is more structured than Freestyle. Two main stems express the interaction of In and Yo and the third is a helper. The Mizugiwa is present. Western flowers are often used.