Ikebana

I have been wanting to learn ikebana from quite sometime. But never got a chance to learn as some or the other block used to come my way. But finally last month i got a chance to join the course.

I have successfully completed the fist level of ikebana from the ikenobo school :)

To start off, for people who are hearing the word ikebana for the first time and are wondering what it means. Here is the definition of ikebana direct from the wiki

"ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. More than simply putting flowers in a container, ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of floral arrangement as a collection of particolored or multicolored arrangement of blooms, ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and draws emphasis towards shape, line, form"

To me ikebana is a putting flowers and leaves together in such a way that it enhances their beauty , making sure it blends with the nature ( ie doesn't look artificial). At the end of it, its ones creativity that actually counts.

For me the experience has been very enriching, and i really did enjoy every bit of it. I got to understand the beauty of flowers and plants in a better and a different way.

Here is a glimpse of some of the arrangements I made




This is my very first arrangement, which is made of heliconia, roses and a bird of paradise leave

This has orange gladula, yellow roses
and bird of Paradise leaf again.

This arrangement is made of red carnations,
white orchids and areca palm

Yellow asiatic lilies , purple water lily and
some ferns to support the water lily

This has red gerbera and
leaves from the garden

Here i have again used heliconia,
areca palm and some golden rods
to support

The flower i have used here
are pink geraniums and the
rest again are leaves from
the garden.

Here as you can see I have used
1 stalk of orchid and bamboo leaves

Finally coming to my favourite arrangement, which was appreciated by one n all. This is a free style arrangement consisting of orchids, spider chrysanthemums