IKEBANA

Japanese Classical Flower Arrangement

Alfred Koehn

1951

Ikebana
FOREWORD
foreword

foreword

foreword

foreword

Ikebana
PINE, BAMBOO AND PRUNUS
shô-chiku-bai
The triple arrangement o Pine, Bamboo and Prunus, each of which symbolizes long lie and prosperity, is a favourite composition used on such joyous ceremonial occasions as weddings or the New Year. Whether arranged in a single vase or in separate containers, the Pine always occupies he central position with he Bamboo on its let and he Prunus on is right. Antique bronze vessels are most suitable, although a vase of recently cut green bamboo may be used or the combined Pine and Prunus to portray these three companions in strength, abundance and beauty.

Ikebana
THE NARCISSUS
suisen
The Narcissus tazetta, sweet o scent and golden o colour, takes an important place in Flower Arrangement during the winter and spring months. To achieve the effect of two longer leaves surrounding two shorter leaves and a flower stalk, the leaves are carefully removed from their sheath, the primary leaf, into which they are returned after regrouping them and cutting them to the required length. Used on festive occasions, the Narcissus is greatly favoured as a silent emblem of mirth and joyousness.

Ikebana
THE FLOWERING PRUNUS
ume
The early Spring is heralded by the delicate blossoms on moss-covered branches of Prunus Mume. He rugged, seemingly lifeless branches contrast greatly with he young green shoots, growing vertically in parallel clusters. In a flower arrangement, a perch-like end of a branch suggests the presence of the Japanese Nightingale, the Bush-warbler. Wide vessels are used to picture a "Recumbent-dragon" tree whose crawling trunk pierces the ground, or a crooked old tree which dives through a mountain stream.

Ikebana
THE HOLLIES
umemodoki
Several members of the Ilex family with their handsome foliage and attractive black, yellow or scarlet berries are found in Japanese flower arrangements. Although berry-bearing branches are not suitable for felicitous occasions, they can be fashioned into strikingly effective designs. Often flowers of a contrasting colour are used for he "Earth" group. Whenever a Japanese room has additional flower arrangements, one should be a basket holding branches with bright berries of the highly ornamental Hollies.

Ikebana
THE CAMELLIA
tsubaki
The Camellia japonica puts forth its flowers in winter when against the snow their reds and pinks seem more brilliant and he handsome evergreen foliage more luminous. Five lowers of the white varieties, each surrounded by three leaves, are used or "Coming-of-age" compositions. "Single-flower" arrangements consist of one lower and three and a half leaves; the half leaf is to remind one that there are many imperfect leaves on the growing tree. The "oarblade" shaped bamboo holds a white Camellia, a purple Magnolia and a golden Forsythia.

Ikebana
THE PEACH
momo
Bridging the short interval between the Plum and the Cherry, the deep pink, almost scarlet blossoms and tender foliage of the Prunus persica against the thatched roofs of the peasant cottages bring thoughts of Spring. Feminine softness characterizes the Peach blossom, and a few flowering branches are used as a decoration at the Dolls Festival on the 3rd month of the year to instill thoughts of home and loyalty. The Peach and Iris above are arranged in a bronze vase of a lotus leaf and a tortoise with its young.

Ikebana
THE WILLOW
yanagi
The Willows most often seen in Flower Arrangement are Salix pupurea, Purple Osier, and Salix babylonica, Weeping Willow. Fancy styles are: "Willow of Spring" with branches parted slightly as if by the playing of a gentle breeze; "Willow in Wind" showing a curved green sweep; "Willow in Snow" with straight stems and pendulous branches as though the cool white burden were a heavy one. Weeping Willows in suspended vessels at farewell gatherings have one bough looped into a circle, which wishes a safe return to the departing guest.

Ikebana
THE CHERRY
sakura
One of the handsomest of early flowering Cherry trees, producing a profusion of chaste pink lowers, is the above pendulous variety of he delightful Rose-bud Cherry, the Prunus subhirtella. Picturesque spots, famous or Cherry-blossom viewing, should e envisaged by the beholder of a Cherry arrangement, in which a few fallen petals may float on the water. Although usually arranged singly without any other flower in the room. Cherry branches may be combined with other plants as with the berry-bearing Rohdea japonica above, or the evergreen Pine.

Ikebana
THE DEUTZIA
u-no-hana
The many species found in East Asia of the Deutzias with their profusion of white or blushed flowers are especially suitable or the fancy bamboo vases to which quaint names, almost defying translation, were given by the Masters of Flower Arrangement. The facility with which bamboo can be cut has led to he practice of making more than one arrangement in a single vase. The Deutzia in the upper container of the above two-tiered bamboo is in he leaning style; the Iris in the lower compartment balances it well.

Ikebana
THE "TREE" PEONY
botan
The shrubby Paeonie moutan, emblem of Brightness and Virility, Riches and Honours, is called "Flower of Twenty Days" because its showy blooms last that long. Tree Peonies are arranged in wide-mouthed bronze vessels or in select baskets with handles. Groups of strong leaves around open flowers suggest that the mythological Lion of Buddhist doctrine, associated with the Peony, is present behind the leaves. A woody ranch is often added to heighten the emerald green of the foliage and the silken lustre o this regal flower.

Ikebana
THE MAGNOLIA
mokuren
Both the evergreen and deciduous Magnolias with their showy white, pink or purple flowers, handsome foliage and cone-shaped fruits, are highly ornamental. They are among the most striking early-blossoming trees and shrubs. Some have sweet-scented flowers and are conspicuous by the silvery-white undersides of the large leaves. Japan´s Magnolia kobus has slender branches and pure white flowers, appearing before the leaves. The Magnolia branches above with petals tinted red on the inside perfectly balance the interestingly shaped tree trunk vase.

Ikebana
THE KERRIA
yamabuki
The Kerria japonica bears large orange flowers on slender green branches. The thin, irregularly toothed leaves turn a clear yellow in Autumn. Since the Kerria grows in great abundance near riverbanks, it is arranged in wide basins. The stems are often held in ja-kago, imitations of the long bamboo baskets containing boulders, which protect shores from rapid stream currents. Long sprays of this refined plant are often placed in suspended receptacles to give the impression of hanging over a stream in which they are reflected.

Ikebana
THE WISTARIA
fuji
The purple splendour of the Wistaria, swaying gracefully from trellises overhanging a lake, is portrayed y a Wistaria branch springing from behind the largest of three stones in a wide basin which also holds a small clump of Iris or Nuphar. Arranged in suspended vessels, the Wistaria appears to be seen against dark green Cryptomerias or the bright red of shrines. The streamers are given special attention and "Heaven", "Earth", and "Man" are indicated by the position of the clusters of buds and half-open flowers of this noblest of woody vines.

Ikebana
THE SCOTCH BROOM
enishida
The ornamental Scotch Broom with its yellow flowers on nearly bare stems belongs to a group of plants, which may have drooping branches in order that the natural form of growth can be preserved in Flower Arrangement. To this group belong the Pomegranate, the Weeping Willow, Weeping Cherry, a pendulous variety of the Cryptomeria, the Wistaria, and the Miscanthus. The Scotch Broom is allowed only one drooping branch whose center lies on an imaginary line drawn vertically from the base of the arrangement to its tip.

Ikebana
THE HERBACEOUS PEONY
shakuyaku
Shades from pink and crimson to ivory and white meet the eye from the many hundreds of varieties of the Paeonie albiflora of Japan in May. Herbaceous Peonies are arranged singly as in the above picture o nine sprays, or they are used for he "Earth" group in combination with flowering trees. Other herbaceous plants, however, are placed separately in another container of a two-or three-tiered bamboo vase. Basins hold often several groups of the Peony whose delicacy of tint and fragrance, more than any other flower, approaches the rose.

Ikebana
BOAT ARRANGEMENTS
tomari-bune
Sailing boats, safely moored for the night, are suggested by standing boats, whose masts and folded sails are represented by slender straight plant cuttings placed in a small water container; too much water visible would suggest a leaking boat. Suspended boats, hung high, so that the water cannot be seen, indicate ships on a voyage. There are different rules for "outward bound" and "inward bound" ships, whose sails and oars are represented by he more or less pronounced curves and fullness of the flower sprays.

Ikebana
THE BAMBOO
take
Floral designs with thin stems of Bamboo in bronze standing vessels are not as frequently seen as two tubes of green bamboo in large bronze basins. The taller "male" tube has a slanted top while the shorter "female" tube is horizontally cut. The twigs of leaves on these cylinders are thinned and shaped like goldfish tails or are given the form of wild geese in flight. To stimulate the Bamboo during the hot season, small holes are drilled into the inter-nodes, into which cold water with rice wine is blown.

Ikebana
THE YELLOW POND LILY
kawahone
Stems are kept long to convey the idea that the Nuphar japonicum rises from shallow pools. Of the small yellow blossoms only one bud and one or two half-open flowers are used among the striking leaves, gracefully curving at the edges. In large bowls, one places sometimes a second clump of a single bud and two small leaves, kept very short, a few inches away; or a taller water-plant is arranged further back to indicate that the latter is growing in greater depth.

Ikebana
THE IRIS
kakitsubata
Of several kinds of Irises Iris laevigata, the Japanese Iris, is the favourite in Flower Arrangement. Varying according to the season of the year, spring arrangements have just a few leaves and some buds; late spring has open flowers set low and buds high; summer is indicated y a profusion of flowers with longer leaves; in early autumn one dropping leaf is allowed and in late autumn foliage turning yellow is introduced. Forming the most important part in Iris arrangements, the leaves must be well selected and grouped.

Ikebana
THE LOTUS
hasu
The Nelumbo nucifera is compared to a lovely spirit lifting itself above worldliness. Although rising from muddy pools, its blue-green leaves and delicate pink or fragrant white petals are fresh and clean. Appropriate at sacred ceremonies rather than at festive gatherings, Lotus arrangements should contain definite suggestions of the three states o Buddhism: Past, Present and Future. These are indicated respectively by a wilted leaf and a seed-pod, fully open leaves and a lower at is prime, uncurled leaves and a bud.

Ikebana
FISH-ROAD ARRANGEMENTS
gyo-dô-ike
To bring visions of shady resorts and cool breezes during the sultry summer months, plant cuttings are arranged in wide bowl-like receptacles which offer an extensive surface to suggest a water-scape. Consisting of water plants, whether merely of one flowering kind, or o a combination of a member or the Reed family and a blossoming plant, the designs are called "Fish-road" arrangements. Fish are supposed to frolic between the separate groups of plans as the Cat-tails and the flowering Iris above.

Ikebana
THE MORNING GLORY
asagao
Because the life of the dainty Ipomoea short, it is not used or felicitous occasions, but its charm and beauty have appealed to the taste of Japanese artists throughout the ages. The tender sprays o the Morning-glory above entwine a bare Bamboo twig, placed in a suspended receptacle. When sprays of buds are arranged in the evening, the buds will open to perfection on the following morning. A drop or two of water, sprinkled on the leaves, will give the arrangement even a more natural appearance.

Ikebana
THE ASPIDISTRA
baran
The beautiful shining foliage of the Aspidistra elatior has led o the evolution of special floral designs which are particularly striking when the dark green of the leaves is relieved with white stripes. Both sides o the leaves should show in about equal proportions. The tips of one or two leaves are curled up or torn off, to better represent the characteristics features of the growing Aspidistra plant. The arrangement above is one of the illustrations in "Green sails" of 1851, two volumes devoted exclusively to the Aspidistra.

Ikebana
THE "SEVEN HERBS OF AUTUMN"
aki-no-nana-kusa
Insignificant in themselves, the "Seven Herbs of Autumn" gain interest in combination and the Japanese Flower Calendar would be incomplete without them. Associated with the stag, the wild boar and wild horses, they are the Bush Clover Eulalia, Kudzu Vine, Pink, Patrinia, Thoroughwort, and the Bellflower. In his order they are mentioned in the Manyoshu, the "Collection of a Myriad Leaves" of the 8th century.

Ikebana
THE ASTER
shion
For plants whose chief attraction is their handsome foliage special rules were created. To this group belong the large leafed Asters, the Hemerocallis Lilies, the Hostas, the Ligularias, especially the variegated form, the Leopard Plant, with leaves blotched yellow or white. Two sprays of flowers are usually surrounded by seven or nine leaves. The leaves in front of the two flower spikes show their backs, those behind, their fronts to the spectator. Only standing vessels should be used.

Ikebana
THE CRYSANTHEMUM
kiku
The Chrysanthemum, the Golden Flower, is a symbol for the Orient, as the Rose for the Occident. The hardy Chrysanthemum that is at its best in late autumn against a desolate landscape, is one of the most difficult plants to arrange. Blossoms of the small-flowering kinds are massed in groups; however large single flowers must be in uneven numbers, never present their full backs or full fronts to view, never be disposed in regular steps or at the same height, nor be hidden by leaves. All these rules apply to any plant with ostentatious flowers.

Ikebana
THE MAPLE
momiji
The many beautiful Maples and other trees whose foliage reddens in the waning year are regarded as "flowers" by the Japanese and therefore included in the Art of Flower Arrangement. Maple branches must be tall and elaborate in design and bear red, brown, golden and greenish leaves. They must bring memories of the burning splendour of a Maple grove touched by the golden shafts of the setting sun. The late autumn branch pictured above is accompanied by a Japanese Juniper and yellow Chrysanthemum.

Ikebana
THE ROHDEA
omoto
The Ròhdea japónica, on account of its rosette of evergreen leaves surrounding a cluster of red berries, is called "Green for Ten Thousand Years". Countless beautiful books have been written on this favourite of retired Japanese who cultivate affectionately the many named varieties. In Flower Arrangement, the modest Rohdea is impressive on festive occasions. Its leaves, partly hiding the somewhat lower red berries, are arranged very precisely in pairs and threes after immersing them in rice wine to make them more resplendent.

Ikebana
THE NANDINA
nanten
The trusses o white flowers of the Nandina domestica, followed by brilliant scarlet or yellow berries, and its graceful foliage, which in winter turns from green to red, make the "Heavenly Bamboo" an attractive shrub throughout the year. To emphasize in Flower Arrangement the interesting growth of the Nandina and similar plants, the clumps of foliage and berries are arranged in graded or step-like form, and these clumps must be in odd numbers, as in the above arrangement of seven trusses of berries.

Ikebana
THE PINE
matsu
A constant feature of the Japanese landscape, the Pine, noblest and hardiest of all evergreens, finds an important place in floral compositions of congratulatory occasions: New Year, weddings and old-age celebrations. Both, the "male" Pinus desiflòra, Black Pine, and the "female" Pinus parviflòra, Red Pine, are used. Heavy lichen-covered branches, in their natural state as much as possible, are preferred. The masses of needles balance the orange-red blossoms of the Rhododèndron obtùsum used for the "Earth" group in above arrangement.