takaya's ikebana (full info.pdf)
IKEBANA “The way of the flower”
"Ikebana is not a mere decoration, it is anart. Ikebana is not for Japan alone, it is for the whole world."
Sofu Teshigahara
The name comes from the Japanese "ikeru," which means to arrange, and "hana," which means flower. Ikebana is a very beautiful,sophisticated art form emphasizing form and balance while generating apeaceful, meditative quality to not only the designer, but also anyone lookingupon the arrangements. It can be literally translated as "living flowers". Itis also known as Kado or "way ofthe flower".
History
Ikebana started inthe 6th Century. A man named Ono NoImoko paid three official visits to the imperial court of China, where he firstsaw formal flower arrangement as religious offerings. Years later after hisretirement he was appointed guardian of a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. He continued to develop his study of the wayof the flowers. From this has developedJapan's oldest school of Ikebana. The Ikenobo School has a written historybased on scrolls and documents, which date back to 1462 as its heritage. Ikebana has longbeen the provenance of the Japanese Royalty and Samurai Families with teachingparticularly being controlled by the hierarchical Monks of the major Temples inJapan. So for many hundreds of years theart was not available to the ordinary folk. The secrets have been locked awaywithin inner cloisters and only in more recent times have these been morefreely distributed. IkebanaInternational, an interest group started by American service wives, was a majorinstrument in helping disseminate the knowledge acquired by the generations ofartists over hundreds of years.
Principles
There areseveral major schools of Ikebana that have different styles. Most of themadhere to these 7 basic principles:
1. Silence
Ikebana is a time to observe nature. To workwith nature and find it's form. It'snot a time for idle gossip.
Ikebana intends to bring peace to in people minds and makes them more tolerant.
2. Minimalism
Ikebana is influenced by Buddhist ideals of minimalism.
3. Shapes and Line
There'san emphasis on shape in ikebana. As with everything else in ikebana, shapesshould be minimal and natural. Lines are graceful.
4. Form
The formof an ikebana arrangement is found rather than planned. You find what isalready there in yourself and nature.
5. Humanity
Ikebanaincorporates humanity as well as nature. One can make ikebana a reflection ofyour feelings.
6. Aesthetics
Ikebana has a distinct aesthetic that's difficult (or impossible) to describe in words.It's something you just have to feel.
7. Structure
The basicstructure of Ikebana is a scalene triangle delineated by three main points.These are often formed with twigs. The three points of Ikebana representheaven, earth and humanity.
takaya's ikebana (full info.pdf)
Takaya’s Ikebana has a significance way beyond its role asjust art. It bridges Japanese Buddhist and Shintoistic principles of life. It reminds us that theimpermanent beauty of nature should honour.
Salt and water are the principal elements of purification andlongevity for his work, which communicates by questioning, making our everydaythings become alive. Born and bread in Kyoto, Takaya’s “Salty Ikebana” shows howimportant salt was for people in Kyoto for purification ceremonies and food conservation.
Takaya’s Ikebana Process is equally important as its display.A series of meditative walks through time and nature is part of the entire ritual.
