Intro to Ikebana

Introduction to Ikebana

Saturday, November 12th

10am-12pm

$30, students will take home flowers and kenzan (see below)

 

Come and try Ikebana flower arrangement. Learn how to take any simple set of flowers from your garden, the woods, or the local florist, and elevate them into something really special. We’ll be learning two of the basic forms, two of the most versatile shapes, and the general rules of traditional Japanese flower arrangement. With demonstrations and hands-on practice, you’ll pick up the skills to keep flowers looking good for longer than you thought flowers could keep! 

Things we will provide:

-A kenzan/flower frog (you get to take home!)

-Flowers (You get to take home!)

-Vessels for practicing, if needed

-Scissors, if needed

-Misc. other tools/tidbits that help smooth the process along

 

Things for you to bring:

-A handkerchief or small towel

-A Moribana vessel OR a vase for Nageire/Heika (see guidelines below)

-A favorite pair of pruning shears/scissors

-A notepad/pen, if you want to take any notes

 

Vessel Guidelines:

It’s encouraged for students to bring their own practice vessels. This allows you to become more familiar working with your own tools, and allows you to develop your own sense of style. The vessel is an important part of a flower arrangement. Traditionally, you should avoid any vessel with ornate patterns, particularly flowers, already painted on it. But I’m not a cop, so if there’s something you love that fits the more practical requirements, you won’t be turned away.

 

In the class, you will have the chance to try one of the two forms that will be demonstrated. If you aren’t sure which style you’ll want, feel free to bring a vessel for each. If we have the time and materials, you may even get to try both.

 

For Moribana:

-A shallow dish, with sides at least 1.5″ deep

-A flat area at least the size of your palm

-No greater than a foot in diameter. (Larger arrangements are possible, but we won’t have the materials for them prepared.)

-Ovals, circles, semi-circles, and crescents can all make pleasing Moribana vessels.

 

For Nageire:

-A tall vase, at least 6″ deep

-Width no less than 2″ at any point

-The opening at the top should be the same size or smaller than the vase below

 

*If you’re truly stumped for vessels, check your cupboards! Chip/dip bowls, serving dishes, and dish sets can all have potential for vessels!  But please, no plastics. Stonewear, ceramics, glass, metal, wood, anything else is fair game. Just be sure to wrap them up to avoid chips/breakage.

 

Instructor Bio

Victor Schultz spent six years living in Aomori, Japan. He has always loved learning new skills and about the rich cultures and traditions that surround them. One of the art forms he had the opportunity to dive deep into was Ikebana – Japanese Flower Arrangement. After creating over 1,000 arrangements, he was able to place and shape the flowers to the satisfaction of his teacher, even going on to win the “Most Favored Display” two years in a row at a local culture festival. The School he studied under was the Ohara Ikebana School, which emphasizes respect for tradition, the necessity of exploring new concepts, and the joy of creation.