Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers

by Shozo Sato, Kasen Yoshimura (Foreword)

The Japanese Art of Flower ArrangingIkebana, 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, The Art of Arranging Flowers is a classic Ikebana text updated for modern readers.Ikebana history and styles 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 instructionsThe 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.

Genres: Japan, Art, Gardening, Nonfiction, Japanese Literature, Nature

701 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2008

About the author

Shōzō Satō was an artist, author, calligrapher, playwright, and a professor emeritus of the College of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He was the founder and former director of Japan House, and a former artist-in-residence at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
He was an internationally renowned master of Japanese traditional arts, such as Ikebana, Japanese Calligraphy, Sumi-e, Japanese Aesthetics, Japanese Traditional Dance, and Japanese Tea Ceremony. He was also a visionary theater director, most known for adapting Western classics into a traditional Japanese Kabuki style.

Reviews

[Humbledaisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, I found this book had fallen by the wayside of 2020. I thought that I would put it aside - and then a year went by.

It has an extensive section about the background of Ikebana and a wonderful section of basic techniques. A good sourcebook but one that makes you want to travel - can't wait.

[Frederike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, with lots of practical and theoretical insights, but not the kind of book that I read from cover to cover

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, the best I could find on the art of Ikebana.

Much history and wonderful photos.

[Katharine Wibell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully photographed book on the Japanese art of flower arranging. With that said, it is not a step by step guide but will teach you the terminology and build a great respect for the complexities and ridged rules of this art form.

[Christopher Haugen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. It is very intense reading so it isn't for the faint of interest. I am eager to implement my learning from the book.

[Preeti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers by Shozo Sato is a timeless and insightful guide to this beautiful Japanese art of flower arrangement. The book explores Ikebana’s rich history, covering classic styles such as Rikka, Seika, and Moribana, as well as contemporary Freestyle designs. The author, an expert in the field, offers clear explanations of the essential tools and techniques, providing easy-to-follow instructions for creating beautiful floral arrangements. More than just decoration, Ikebana is presented as a thoughtful practice that connects nature and creativity, focusing on harmony, simplicity, and the fleeting beauty of life. Suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, this book combines cultural depth with practical advice. The book is adorned with graceful, artful illustrations that beautifully showcase the delicate essence of Ikebana. These visuals illuminate technique and highlight the serene elegance of floral arrangements. The book's thorough content makes it an invaluable resource for the ones interested in mastering this elegant and meditative art form!

[Deanna C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional floral designer or simply interested in the Japanese culture, this book is educational and inspirational. The pictures are vibrant and captions are so in-depth. I feel like the more serious artists will take away a lot from this book. The book mainly covers the history and explanations of the different styles. But, it is still an excellent resource to have as there are some step-by-step instructions to basic designs and their variations, and it covers the tools and materials that can be used as well as techniques for placement and orientation. Since I am only interested in floral design as a hobby, this book felt a bit overwhelming at times. But it is well made and is just as detailed as the art itself.

[Stray Toki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is great. It tells you the brief history of ikebana and introduces you to styles of arrangements, tools, techniques and flowers.
The book is great, except that it was not what I was looking for. It was written for practitioners of Ikebana or people who want to begin making Japanese flower arrangements. For someone who's not going to create the compositions, it has too many terms and too many technicalities. And all I wanted was a history of ikebana.
Well, I'll keep looking.

[Joni 与仁 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eine sehr gute, ausführliche Einführung in Ikebana, mit zahlreichen Abbildungen von traditionellen bis modernen Gestecken und Installationen. Vor diesem Band war mir nicht klar, wie komplex die Welt des Ikebana ist - andererseits, wen überrascht das schon bei einer Jahrtausende alten, japanischen Tadition?

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting introduction to the history and techniques behind the art of flower arranging. The photos and instructive descriptions of the various arrangements are really interesting and give the reader a much better appreciation for the art form.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous photography, excellent diagrams, good prose and loads of practical tips - all of which make it suitable for beginning and intermediate level students. If you know such a person, it would make an ideal gift.

[Emily D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and clear. Although I read it for the flower arranging studies, I found it historically interesting as a concise and very brief history of Japan.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[IE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed book with very impressive arrangements.