A quiet revolution called flower arrangement: A genealogy of beauty and philosophy entrusted to flowers
A quiet revolution called flower arrangement: A genealogy of beauty and philosophy entrusted to flowers
"Flower arranging" is not just an act of displaying beauty.
It is a tranquil art that builds a bridge between nature and man, connecting the times and spirits.
The Origin of Flower Arrangement: Between God and Flowers
The origins of flower arranging can be traced back to ancient animistic beliefs.
In the past, when it was believed that gods resided in plants, people erected plants to serve as a place to welcome the gods.
Eventually, with the introduction of Buddhism, the practice of offering flowers (kuge) was born, and flowers became sacred objects offered before the Buddha.
During the Heian period, aristocrats enjoyed the elegance of admiring a single flower, and scenes of this happening are depicted in The Pillow Book.
However, it was not until the mid-Muromachi period, with the arrival of Ikenobo Senkei, a monk at Rokkakudo in Kyoto, that flower arrangement was established as a "way."
The Birth of Ikenobo and the Spirit of "Richinbana"
Ikenobo Senkei elevated the flowers offered before Buddhist altars to an art form and established the style known as "Rikka."
Rikka is a composition that symbolizes the harmony of heaven, earth, and man, and expresses a miniature version of the natural world in a vase.
A single pine tree represents the mountain, a single flower represents the season, and a single branch represents the wind.
This idea eventually spread as a path of spiritual training and aesthetic appreciation under the name of "flower arrangement."
The birth of schools and the blossoming of diversity
During the Edo period, flower arranging spread among samurai and townspeople, and many schools were born.
Among them, the three that are known as the "three major schools" are as follows:
School name Founding Features
Ikenobo Muromachi period The oldest school of arranging. It has a variety of styles, including tachibana, ikebana, and jiyuka, and places emphasis on theory and spirituality.
Sogetsu School Early Showa period (1927) An innovative style founded by Sofu Teshigahara, characterized by a fusion of free thinking and contemporary art.
Ohara School Late Meiji period (1895) Founded by Ohara Unshin, the school is known for its "Shakei Moribana" style of flower arrangement that depicts natural scenery, and actively incorporates Western flower materials.
Although these schools each have different aesthetic sensibilities and philosophies, they share the common spirit of "looking at the world through flowers."
Contemporary Flower Arrangement: Between Tradition and Innovation
In modern times, flower arranging is not just a traditional art form.
In the context of environmental issues, globalization, and a digital society, it is being reevaluated as "time to face nature" and "a silent dialogue."
It is also widely known overseas as "Ikebana" and is often associated with Zen and mindfulness.
On the other hand, the range of expression is expanding more than ever before, with the emergence of expressions that combine with contemporary art, such as the Sogetsu style, and flower arranging as installations.
Conclusion: A single flower, a millennial thought
Flower arrangement is the act of facing the "here and now" through flowers.
It is a "philosophy of beauty" that has been passed down through the ages,
It's like an invisible thread that connects nature and people, past and future, stillness and movement.
A thousand years of thought in a single flower.
This quiet revolution is quietly beginning in someone's hands today.