Ikebana
The traditional Japanese art of artistically arranged flowers and branches in vases that was established in the Muromachi period and developed in the Edo period
Ikebana is a traditional Japanese cultural tradition in which flowers and branches are artistically placed in vases. It is thought to have originated from offerings to Shinto gods and Buddhist deities.
During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), when a Shoinzukuri type of house was equipped with an oshiita (partition) and chigaidana (staggered shelves), the predecessor to the tokonoma (alcove), the flowers in the vase were displayed there. The flowers of such interior decorations were handled by an aide to the shogun called doboshu, and the doboshu's way of arranging flowers was stylized as Tatebana. In the middle of the Muromachi period, Ikenobo Senkei, a monk of Rokkakudo, in Kyoto, and a master of Tatebana, developed the Ikenobo style of arranging flowers and laid the foundation for Ikebana.
In addition, Tea Flower, also known as Nageire Flower, arose with the development of Tea Ceremony. In contrast to the decorative style of Tatebana, the Tea Flower is a simple flower that can be freely arranged. Tea Flower has had a great influence on the subsequent development of Ikebana.
From the Azuchi-Momoyama period to early in the Edo period (1603-1867), Tatebana, after it was fully developed by Ikenobo Sen'ei and the first and second generation Ikenobo Senko, became popular among wealthy citizens. In addition, the development of printing technology allowed many guidebooks and illustrated instruction books on Ikebana to be published. In the middle of the eighteenth century, a new, simpler style, Seika, was established. This style became popular because it was easy to enjoy even in ordinary people's homes. Ikebana further flourished as various schools were founded and the iemoto system (a system of schools passed down through families) was established.
From the Meiji era (1868-1912) on, new styles such as Moribana, in which flowers are arranged on a dish-shaped basin, were created as Western plants entered Japan and lifestyles changed. In addition, since flower arrangement has become a popular part of women's education, the male-dominated field of Ikebana has spread to include more women. Today, with various developments from traditional arrangements to avant-garde arrangements, Ikebana has become an art form representative of Japanese culture.
Related People, Things and Events
Books
Related Works
Flower vases
Videos
Past Exhibitions
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Institutions Holding Related Materials
池坊会館の3階にある資料館。花伝書・花器・いけばなの絵図・六角堂の古文書などを展示。 時代の流れに沿った展示のほか、テーマ展示のコーナーも設けられ、年に1回展示替えをおこなっている。(見学は予約制)
The National Diet Library (NDL), founded in 1948, is the library which belongs to the Diet. The NDL assists the activities of the National Diet. The Library collects and conserves materials and information both from Japan and abroad, serving as a foundation of knowledge and culture and providing library services to administrative and judicial entities and Japanese citizens.
Nara National Museum collects, preserves, displays, researches and provides educational programs about cultural properties with a focus on Buddhist art.
As Japan’s representative museum, Tokyo National Museum collects, preserves, displays, and researches the cultural properties of Asia with a focus on Japan, and also provides educational programs.
Kyoto National Museum collects, preserves, displays, researches and provides educational programs focusing on cultural properties from Heian- through to Edo- period Japan, when the capital was located there.
External Links
- 華道家元池坊の公式ホームページ。いけばなの歴史を解説。
References
- 角川書店
- 角川書店
- 日立デジタル平凡社,平凡社