Kadou (ikebana) 101
Kadou or Ikebana is the art of arranging flowers. It is the Japanese term for flower arrangement. There is a display wall area in traditional Japanese homes that are called alcoves. The Kadou is a way of arranging flowers to adorn this space. In Japan the viewing of the flowers in the wild is popular due to it`s four seasons, and the changing of nature. The word ikebana comes from ike-being alive, bana-flowers.
Like many other cultural practices Ikebana started it`s origin in the buddhist temple as decoration to offer to buddha. At first, these flower offerings to the buddha had no meaning. However, the first style of Ikebana arose when the offering took shape as multiple layers of flowers that had the meaning of natural scenery. Since then Ikebana took place as a decorating method of the alcove that became common in Japanese architecture.
Arranging of flowers became more decorative as people start with the decorating of the alcove. While in the beginning, starting with a space called oshiita (precursor to the tokonoma alcove), and chigaidana (two-leveled shelves), were the focus of decoration. From simple to decorative. Ikebana slowly came to the form we know today. The system of modern Ikebana was most likely derived from Buddhist and Shinto believes. Where it became a purely Japanese style of practice.
As Ikebana was forming it`s art, as with other art such as tea ceremony, Ikebana was adopted by the lord Ashikaga Yoshimasa, and spread to the samurai population. Yoshimasa developed concepts and rules in Ikebana that later became the pillars of the art of Ikebana. Yoshimasa taught that flowers were to be offered on all ceremonial occasions to the gods, and that it should not be offered loosely, but should represent time and thought.
In the development of Ikebana there were two styles that progressed and became the art as it is today. The first was rikka where Ikebana advanced a step further beyond a form of adornment of temples and room decoration. rikka compared to nageirebana, the other style was given greater consideration to natural beauty of a floral arrangement. Rikka was thought to been stiff, formal, and more decorative style, nageirebana was simpler and more natural.
Ikebana along with other arts such as tea ceremony and kodou (incense burning art) had always been considered as top practices in Japanese culture. Out of Ikebana has always been considered a dignified accomplishment All of Japan`s notable generals practiced flower arrangement. Now the oldest international organization, Ikebana International was founded in 1956.
Kadou or Ikebana is the art of arranging flowers. It is the Japanese term for flower arrangement. There is a display wall area in traditional Japanese homes that are called alcoves. The Kadou is a way of arranging flowers to adorn this space. In Japan the viewing of the flowers in the wild is popular due to it`s four seasons, and the changing of nature. The word ikebana comes from ike-being alive, bana-flowers.
Like many other cultural practices Ikebana started it`s origin in the buddhist temple as decoration to offer to buddha. At first, these flower offerings to the buddha had no meaning. However, the first style of Ikebana arose when the offering took shape as multiple layers of flowers that had the meaning of natural scenery. Since then Ikebana took place as a decorating method of the alcove that became common in Japanese architecture.
Arranging of flowers became more decorative as people start with the decorating of the alcove. While in the beginning, starting with a space called oshiita (precursor to the tokonoma alcove), and chigaidana (two-leveled shelves), were the focus of decoration. From simple to decorative. Ikebana slowly came to the form we know today. The system of modern Ikebana was most likely derived from Buddhist and Shinto believes. Where it became a purely Japanese style of practice.
As Ikebana was forming it`s art, as with other art such as tea ceremony, Ikebana was adopted by the lord Ashikaga Yoshimasa, and spread to the samurai population. Yoshimasa developed concepts and rules in Ikebana that later became the pillars of the art of Ikebana. Yoshimasa taught that flowers were to be offered on all ceremonial occasions to the gods, and that it should not be offered loosely, but should represent time and thought.
In the development of Ikebana there were two styles that progressed and became the art as it is today. The first was rikka where Ikebana advanced a step further beyond a form of adornment of temples and room decoration. rikka compared to nageirebana, the other style was given greater consideration to natural beauty of a floral arrangement. Rikka was thought to been stiff, formal, and more decorative style, nageirebana was simpler and more natural.
Ikebana along with other arts such as tea ceremony and kodou (incense burning art) had always been considered as top practices in Japanese culture. Out of Ikebana has always been considered a dignified accomplishment All of Japan`s notable generals practiced flower arrangement. Now the oldest international organization, Ikebana International was founded in 1956.