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Inspired Flower Arrangements
In this strikingly beautiful and revolutionary work, Kawase has taken a fresh approach to flower arranging, demonstrating through breathtaking color photographs his universally appealing style of bringing nature indoors.
Often misunderstood as a static art form, its rules frozen by generations of teachers, Japanese flower arranging should in fact be a dynamic relationship between man and nature, with every arrangement holding within it infinite possibilities of form and statement.
While based on a thorough knowledge of traditional techniques, Kawase's designs are liberated by his personal response to the natural environment. The arranger, in his view, is an artist, not tied down by the received way of doing things, but free to express himself. The object, ideally, is to
create a form of a floral poetry.
Hence the word "inspired" in the his aim being to inspire, to suggest new ways of designing with flowers. At the same time, though, he provides practical tips for beginners; explains the importance of using the right containers, and shares his own thoughts on what makes a particular
arrangement eye-catching or graceful.
Here, in a new, slightly smaller format than before is one of the most unusual and beautiful books of its kind ever published.
Often misunderstood as a static art form, its rules frozen by generations of teachers, Japanese flower arranging should in fact be a dynamic relationship between man and nature, with every arrangement holding within it infinite possibilities of form and statement.
While based on a thorough knowledge of traditional techniques, Kawase's designs are liberated by his personal response to the natural environment. The arranger, in his view, is an artist, not tied down by the received way of doing things, but free to express himself. The object, ideally, is to
create a form of a floral poetry.
Hence the word "inspired" in the his aim being to inspire, to suggest new ways of designing with flowers. At the same time, though, he provides practical tips for beginners; explains the importance of using the right containers, and shares his own thoughts on what makes a particular
arrangement eye-catching or graceful.
Here, in a new, slightly smaller format than before is one of the most unusual and beautiful books of its kind ever published.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1990
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 21, 2024
Absolutely fantastic stuff. Terrible as a guide to ikebana, because it's basically breaking all the rules of what traditional ikebana is supposed to be, but sometimes you've just got to sit back and watch a master at work.
September 21, 2012
Wow!
It was truly beautiful and unexpected. I did not even plan on it being ikebana. Okay stupid, I know. All I was thinking it would be was a series of floral arrangements of various styles, flowers, and seasons. In a way it was. He even described techniques for preserving the flowers, how he looked at the lines of the flower/plant, what the containers are (and from when), where the lotion was, and the thoughts/inspiration behind his picks. I was blown away. Blown away! I want the book for myself for the tips alone yet alone the beautiful pictures.
I don't know if it achieved the fall inspiration I was looking for, for work, but I definitely don't feel weird about staring at trees anymore just to study their lines and leaves. It also made me wish to learn ikebana, but his particular school of thought is unique only to him and his students. There is no true school for this. While I find that to be a shame, I understand why. You cannot teach someone how to recognize the soul of something, nor can you standardize it in the way a school would (with rules and a "correct" way of things). I mean he did teach people arranging, and he definitely has opinions on what is correct and not (see the comment about wildflowers without water spritzed on them does not deserve a second glance), but that wasn't what he sought to achieve. Kawase's goal was to get people to see nature the way he did; its most beautiful state is in its natural state.
It was truly beautiful and unexpected. I did not even plan on it being ikebana. Okay stupid, I know. All I was thinking it would be was a series of floral arrangements of various styles, flowers, and seasons. In a way it was. He even described techniques for preserving the flowers, how he looked at the lines of the flower/plant, what the containers are (and from when), where the lotion was, and the thoughts/inspiration behind his picks. I was blown away. Blown away! I want the book for myself for the tips alone yet alone the beautiful pictures.
I don't know if it achieved the fall inspiration I was looking for, for work, but I definitely don't feel weird about staring at trees anymore just to study their lines and leaves. It also made me wish to learn ikebana, but his particular school of thought is unique only to him and his students. There is no true school for this. While I find that to be a shame, I understand why. You cannot teach someone how to recognize the soul of something, nor can you standardize it in the way a school would (with rules and a "correct" way of things). I mean he did teach people arranging, and he definitely has opinions on what is correct and not (see the comment about wildflowers without water spritzed on them does not deserve a second glance), but that wasn't what he sought to achieve. Kawase's goal was to get people to see nature the way he did; its most beautiful state is in its natural state.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews