Filtering by Category: ikebana

My Ikebana: On A Basket Lid

Added on by the ikebana shop.

We were in the middle of a lockdown due to the pandemic’s 3rd wave. I could not go to the studio to look for a container for ikebana. I turned to the 50 Principles of Sogetsu for advice!

 
“Green bamboo tubes and simple rustic jars also make the best containers.”
— #32, The Fifty Principles of Sogetsu
 

It tells us that even every day things can become a great container. So I looked around the house and found this lid that went on top of a bamboo basket. And that’s what I used!

This arrangement makes us feel the coming of summer—warmer days, fresh greens, and lovely colours.

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. —Miyako

My Ikebana: Easter Shikibana

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Shikibana (敷き花）is a style of arranging flowers by spreading them on a flat surface. It is a very short-lived one because it does not use any container or water.

This arrangement is Easter inspired. Notice the coloured eggs on the side!

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. Happy Easter! —Miyako

My Ikebana: Boring Branches

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Ikebana practitioners are all branch collectors. When we stumble upon branches with very interesting lines and shapes, we get very thrilled and immediately start seeing the possibilities of a new arrangement. We’ll move heaven and earth (and most of the time our spouses! Ha Ha!) to get those branches. But let’s admit it, most of the time the branches we come across are really not-very-remarkable ones. But still, we keep them.

One way to breath new life into the “boring branches” is to paint them. And that’s what we did with these!

The very dull brown branches were painted a dirty white to help them bounce out of the shadows. Then, a couple of gerbera daisies to add some colour! Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. —Miyako

My Ikebana: Valentine Mizuhiki

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Mizuhiki are cords made from washi paper. They are usually used for celebrations. Valentine is a celebration too! So we decided to use some mizuhiki for this arrangement.

Here is the whole arrangement.

Happy Valentine’s Day! —Miyako

My Ikebana: Cutting Up Curly Willow

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Ikebana practitioners love to work with curly willow branches. They show very interesting lines and curves that are a delight to use in arrangements. We’d normally take advantage of the long branches to express a strong profile or direction.

The challenge for this arrangement is to resist the temptation of using curly willow in its natural state. So we cut it up and re-assembled it!

Here is the whole arrangement.

My Ikebana: Chillin' With Chili Pepper

Added on by the ikebana shop.

While shopping for groceries, we found some packs of chili pepper. The bright red colour was mesmerizing. It would be wonderful to use them in ikebana!

Some winter greens were used to further emphasize the redness of the chili pepper. The vase is the work of local Nova Scotia pottery artist Sally Ravindra.

Here is the whole arrangement.

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I hope this arrangement brings a little warmth in the cold winter! —Miyako

My Ikebana: Golden Monstera

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Here is a festive arrangement for the holiday season.

Leftover monstera leaves were allowed to dry and when they’ve become stiff and crumpled, gold paint was applied.

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. —Miyako

My Ikebana: Autumn In A Bamboo Vase

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Autumn is probably the most breath-taking time in Canada. The maple leaves turn into a wonderful spectrum from bright red to bright yellow…and everything else in between! When you have seen this, you will understand why the Canadian flag has a red maple leaf!

This was taken just down the street from where we live in Halifax, NS.

This arrangement uses autumn leaves.

In a bamboo vase.

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. —Miyako