Jumping into taxis, we were off to a two-hour intensive Ikebana Workshop with Seanacey Pierce, who with her husband run Kinse Ryokan, which dates back 250 years as a tea house. In the 1920s, it was turned into a dance hall and ryokan or inn. Seanacey shares that she is originally from Portland, Oregon and her back-ground is in book arts and printmaking. After her husband and she moved to Kyoto, she began studying and practicing Sogetsu-style ikebana under her husband's aunt, who founded this school. Seanacey received permission to teach ikebana in 2014. She received the First Rank Somu Teacher's diploma in 2019. |
The origins of ikebana in Kyoto, she tells us, began more than 400 years ago and has connections to Buddhist cosmology, and the revolutionary flower art of the Sogetsu school. The Sogetsu school is grounded in traditional Japanese aesthetics while also proposing that ikebana can be done "anytime, anywhere, using any materials." The gives students the chance — no matter where they are — to see the seasonal elements of nature with new eyes, which open the way for unique and interesting compositions.
About 100 years ago, flowers arrangements were used both as offerings at Buddhist temples and shrines as well as decoratively.
About 100 years ago, flowers arrangements were used both as offerings at Buddhist temples and shrines as well as decoratively.
- First ikebana style is called Ryka. Priests created the arrangements with a high, medium and low element representing their three world cosmology.
- Later, a Tea-style ikebana evolved whereby tea masters, rather than priests, created the arrangements that were used along with a scroll and incense to welcome guests.
- The Sogetsu school was created by Seanacey's husband's aunt in the 1950s low elements, and larger scale. The arrangements are generally displayed in relationship with other simple elements such as a painting or a mirror, and the base for the arrangement becomes an active element.
Traditionally, the primary element in an ikebana arrangement should be twice the height and diameter of the base. The secondary element should be 3/4 the height of the primary one. The lowest element should be a flower and about 1/2 length of the secondary one. Placement of each element should be done so that the arrangement is viewed from the front. All cut surfaces of the elements should face to the back. Floral frogs and kenzan are used to hold each element in place. Plant material should be cut at a sharp angle and placed straight down into the floral frog or kenzan. Once placed securely, the plant material can be angled. |
Once the three main elements are placed, you can add more flowers to camouflage the floral frog or kenzan. Camouflage elements need to be shorter than the lowest element.
In classical ikebana-style, up to three plant types are used. There is lots of flexibility regarding color. Always use an odd number of elements.
In classical ikebana-style, up to three plant types are used. There is lots of flexibility regarding color. Always use an odd number of elements.
Gypsy and Prism's ikebana creations ... can you see our "mistakes?"
A fun and long day ... Gypsy and I opted to taxi back to Hotel Rings and, being our free evening, have cheeseburgers and fries at the hotel's Common Well restaurant.