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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 17 I kebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging that emphasizes form and balance and dates back to the 7th century, seems to be having a moment. e style, which translates as "way of flowers," instructs its devoted practitioners to follow strict rules: first, to use only seasonal greenery and flowers in all arrangements, and second, to create floral landscapes that convey feelings and emotions about life. Ikebana is, indeed, rooted in a spiritual way to look at flowers. In the past, ikebana, which has style-specific schools— including Ikenobo, Sogetsu, Ryusei-ha and Ohara— wasn't as embraced by mainstream florists because it tends to be quite minimalist. "e idea is to see the water in the vase, have lots of air in the arrangement and be respectful of this moment of time seasonally," explains Holly Carlisle, owner of Rosegolden, a flower design studio in Birmingham, Ala. "It's not the British- styled lush arrangements. Cultural undercurrents are certainly contributing to ikebana's uptick in serendipity. Not only do many consumers prefer a modern home design approach— thank you, RH (you know, the rebrand name of Restoration Hardware)—but because of the pandemic, people are caring about philosophy and calm, two pillars of ikebana design. Furthermore, the seasonal- only demands of ikebana also resonate with the sustainability movement, adding to its popularity. "Minimal arrangement is extremely dynamic and takes an incredible amount of thought and harmonious intention," says Carlisle. So, what are the elements of an ikebana arrangement? is is a sore subject to many practitioners, who insist that schooling is required before claiming an expertise. at said, following are elements to think about. Ikebana asks artists to incorporate flowers that represent the cycles of life—past, present and future. Or, as Beverly Hashimoto, president of Ikebana International New York Chapter #7, corrects me, "yesterday, today and tomorrow." "A bud that has not bloomed can represent the future," Hashimoto continues. Obviously, the present is a flower that is in full bloom. Hashimoto's arrangement, below, is composed of dried Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) seed heads to represent the past of summer. Because the arrangement is a glorious look to fall, Hashimoto used mums and cockscomb Celosia in autumnal hues. "Instead of greenery, I used burning-bush Euonymus, various maples and a persimmon branch," she explains. Another important element of ikebana is its focus on vertical heights as part of its messaging. In ancient Japan, there would be small alcoves in homes that were ideal for these styled flower arrangements, which are what started this focus. Nature must always be a focal point. "Emptiness also has its beauty," explains Noritaka Noda, a master practitioner of Ikenobo, the most classic and oldest school under the ikebana umbrella. "A branch that extends beyond the horizon expresses continuity." Floral design by Beverly Hashimoto

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