Seasonal Ichiyo Ikebana in Buffalo, NY
In the Ichiyo School of Ikebana, we are taught how to make arrangements which reflect the seasons. Generally speaking, arrangements at any one time of year should be made to reflect either that present season, or the next one. For example if one were making an arrangement in summer, the materials and arrangement should not be made with winter types of materials. Making arrangements which reflect the season not only help determine what kind of floral materials are used, but how the arrangement is placed in the container. If one is using a suiban container (a low flat container), the summer arrangements are usually placed in that part of the container which is the furthest away from the viewer. This is to help the viewer have a sense of cooling water in the warm summer months. Conversely, in the winter season, the arrangements are place in the part of the container that is closest to the viewer. This is to help the viewer not have a sense of being chilled by viewing open water.
Another aspect of ikebana which separates it from Western flower arranging is the use of materials which show their age. Aging leaves may actually offer more to the viewer than the fresh new leaves. As can be seen in this associated arrangement, the hosta leaves with their natural yellowing leaves and brown edges add more color to the arrangement than if they were solid green. This is also true in terms of texture with some arrangements using dry seed pods .
In this vase arrangement, again we see the aged leaves with the lower leaves having a yellowing of their usual darker green tone. One can also see the holes in the leaves caused by leaf-eating insects or some other cause common in the summer. The daisy-like flowers are typical of those flowering in the middle of summer. The vase with its brown tones, and lines match similar lines and color found in the leaves. The use of summer garden or field materials is usually matched with containers which are more “natural” in appearance. In other words field materials are usually not used for a summer arrangement in a formal, glossy container.
In this arrangement, all the materials were taken from an open field. We see some grasses with their tan furry tips, the green leafy branches and Queen Anne’s Lace–a very common flower in fields during the summer. Here in this arrangement we also see the use of open-weave baskets which are commonly used in the Ichiyo School of Ikebana. Instead of large basin-like containers, this arrangement uses a “cup kenzan” or a weighted needle flower holder in a weighted metal cup which holds the water for the plant materials. Insect leaf damage is also seen.
Lastly, this arrangement uses a grid to support this summer arrangement. The use of grids is also a common technique in the Ichiyo School of Ikebana. This arrangement is called a compound arrangement due to there being more than one smaller arrangement. Here we have variegated hosta leaves, mums, and Lady’s Mantle. These small white containers are held onto the grid by zip ties not seen due to the floral materials. Not all summer arrangements have aged leaves or baskets. The only requirement is the use of summer plant materials.
