Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IKEBANA
Ikebana - the art of flower arranging - was developed in the 15th century and can be
grouped into three main styles:
rikka
(standing flowers),
shōka
(living flowers), and free-
style techniques such as
nageire
(throwing-in) and
moribana
(heaped flowers). There are
several thousand different schools, the top three being Ikenobō, Ōhara and Sōgetsu, but
they share one aim: to arrange flowers to represent heaven, earth and humanity. Ikebana
displays were originally used as part of tea ceremony, but can now be found in private
homes - in the
tokonoma
(sacred alcove) - and even in large hotels.
Apart from its cultural associations, ikebana is also a lucrative business. Its schools have
millions of students, including many young women who view proficiency in the art as a
means to improve their marriage prospects.
can also occasionally see shows of ikebana in downtown department stores. Finally, if you
stay in a good ryokan, you will probably see ikebana displayed in the entryway and in the
tokonoma
in your room.
