Ikebana

  After doing some searching for new topics and at a loss of what to write about, I decided ask my mom about some of the activities my great grandparents did that she remembered in particular. In one of our conversations, my mom mentioned that my great grandmother, who was also a seamstress and used to perform traditional Japanese dance for many years, also did ikebana (flower arranging) as a past time. Although the idea of flower arranging may seem like a simple task, it's an art form that requires a lot of aesthetic attentiveness and discipline to execute. It also corresponds to the Eastern philosophy of the bond/closeness between mankind and nature. The process itself is also quiet therapeutic and spiritual, like that of bamboo painting or calligraphy. However, the process of creating a floral arrangement comes with many considerations: color combinations, contour and line, choice of material (flowers, leaves, grasses, etc.), and the overall meaning behind the arrangement itself. The choice of container also is another factor to consider when arranging a piece as well. In general though, the shape of a floral arrangement is akin to that of a triangle-type of structure, with each point representing heaven, earth, and mankind. However, there are several types of styles and patterns that one can create, and are even still evolving well into modern times.

While talking to my mom, she mentioned that she remembered dropping off my great grandmother every Saturday to attend ikebana lessons from a woman who was originally from Japan. She also recalled several times where she saw my great grandmother sketching in a book of what she wanted the flower arrangement to look like, taking note of details like color and flowers that she would use. One of the flowers that my mom recalled her using often were small anthuriums and orchids. At first I thought that the ikebana in Hawaii was pretty nonexistent, especially places that teach it, but after doing some research I found that a lot of people still practice it in Hawaii today, both men and women alike. A local organization I found was the Ikebana International, Honolulu Chapter 56, who often host workshops, demonstrations, community service projects, and exhibitions related to ikebana for the public. In some of their most recent pictures (which can be found here), it shows that ikebana has indeed evolved to more extravagant and beautiful forms over the years. Unfortunately, I've never seen any of my great grandmother's flower arrangements, but I hope that one day I can find pictures of them (or better yet, her sketchbook!). For now though, I'm glad that the tradition of ikebana is still thriving; I wouldn't mind trying to learn how to do floral arrangements one day too.