"A modern take on a centuries-old art that’s breathtakingly simple.” —Booklist, starred review At its heart, the Japanese art of ikebana is about celebrating an intimate connection with nature. To practice ikebana is to find inspiration in the seasons, favor unassuming blooms and branches, seek balance and simplicity, and remain fully present in the moment. It is a beautiful, pure antidote to our age of distraction and excess. Honoring the lineage of ikebana while making the art their own, Amanda Luu and Ivanka Matsuba of Studio Mondine show us new ways to tell stories with flowers. They offer step-by-step instructions for dozens of stunning, seasonal arrangements, while in the process introducing readers to the themes and stylistic signatures of the art. In Studio Mondine’s hands, this centuries-old practice feels undeniably fresh—and readers are given the gift of learning to create unique, meaningful, and authentic arrangements.

A modern approach to traditional Japanese floral design. Award-winning flower designer Shinichi Nagatsuka explains how anyone can create beautiful arrangements using his signature N Style method. Easy to follow, it is based on accent lines rather than the complex system of rules used for traditional Ikebana. Accent lines are the natural shapes of the flowers themselves--which means vertical arrangements require a different eye than horizontal or round ones, for example. By understanding how the shapes of flowers and plants affect your design, you'll learn to choose just the right ones to achieve your desired look and feel. With over 280 color photos and 42 projects, Modern Japanese Ikebana unlocks the mysteries of the art of Ikebana. By following the N Style method, you can bring a natural flow to your arrangements, achieving balance and an overall harmony of design.

If you think of flower arranging as an occupation for florists in pursuit of the perfect dome, think again. Because there is a generation of radical new artists who are reinventing what it means to arrange flowers, many of them inspired by the Japanese art of ikebana. Since its origins in the 6th century, ikebana has been as much a philosophy as an art, with its roots in Zen Buddism and a reverence for nature. Over hundreds of years it has developed a complex set of unwritten rules, that take a lifetime to master. But in recent years the distinctive look of ikebana - with its love of the asymmetric shapes to be found in nature and its willingness to embrace simple, natural materials - has found a new audience and opened the eyes of a generation of artists to a new way of working with flowers. This book showcases a selection of this new wave of floral artists, from Tokyo to New York. The authors Victoria Gaiger and Tom Loxley - the editors of the award-winning rakesprogress, the UK's leading independent magazine about the art of gardens, plants and flowers - have talked to 25 of the most exciting young florists working today about their art and inspiration. It includes an introduction to the history and evolution of Japanese floral art and beautiful images of the artists' studios and their floral creations.

Celebrate a loved one or add a touch of color to your home with these twenty distinctive flower arrangements. Inspired by the elegant and minimalist style of ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arranging), and constructed using the techniques that promote the functionality and portability of Western designs, these arrangements place sophisticated style into small containers that are easy to move from room to room or to the hands of a friend. Illustrated with beautiful photographs, each arrangement uses just a few easy-to-find floral materials and Western tools and materials. Clear step-by-step instructions with photographs, along with a range of tips and techniques on manipulating and using the materials, are sure to broaden the skills of both beginners as well as those already familiar with the floral arts. Make the arrangements in this book and share the gift of flowers with your friends and family.

The Japanese Art of Flower Arranging Ikebana, or Japanese flower arranging, is more than just putting flowers in a container. Ikebana is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing, where nature and humanity are brought together. Written by renowned Ikebana expert Shozo Sato, Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers is a classic Ikebana text updated for modern readers. Ikebana history and styles Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers presents a fascinating overview of the history of Ikebana to present day, and introduces classic Ikebana styles such as Rikka, Seika and Moribana to Freestyle. Japanese flower arranging instructions The tools of Ikebana and basic Ikebana flower-arranging techniques are clearly explained. Simple but detailed instructions guide Ikebana enthusiasts through the process of making dozens of stunning floral arrangements.

Keiko's unique approach to ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, combines traditional techniques with modern tastes. Her influences--which range from sculpture to today's Western floral design--come together to create one-of-a-kind arrangements that are authentic and eye-catching, simple and graceful, and possible for anyone to achieve. This book presents step-by-step instructions for creating 20 stunning ikebana arrangements in a range of sizes and styles. Each of the flower arrangements can be completed in just three simple steps and uses easy-to-find floral materials and containers. The book also includes an introduction to the history of ikebana as it relates to Japan and Japanese culture, as well as a guide to the basic rules of ikebana design and floral techniques. Suggestions for finding and choosing materials and supplies make it easy to learn how to arrange flowers and gain a hands-on appreciation of the art of Japanese flower arranging.

This is a classic guide to 'Ikebana', the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. It explores the different elements and styles of Ikebana, offering useful tips and detailed descriptions. With photographs and illustrations, it is perfect or beginners and not to be missed by anyone with an interest in the subject. Contents include: “The Spirit of Flower Arrangement”, “Development of Arrangement Style and Their History”, “Formation of 'Rikka' Style”, “Development of 'Shoka' Style Arrangements and their Varieties”, “Development of 'Nageire' and 'Moribana' and their Aesthetic Elements”, “Practical Techniques of Ikeban”, “Variations of 'Shoka', etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on the history of gardening.