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Ikebana Unbound: A Modern Approach to the Ancient Japanese Art of Flower Arranging
"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.
—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.
176 pages, Hardcover
Published April 28, 2020
22 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 15, 2020
..."a contemplative art!"
Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, with Zen Buddhist roots. The thing is it's such a contemplative form of doing that it brings the concept of rest into our focus, the mindfulness of the doing and constructing.
As the authors declare in their vey thoughtful opening, in today's trends towards minimalism , "ikebana feels undeniably fresh and incredibly resonant."
Ikebana finds "inspiration in the natural world," and looks to combining tenets of movement, balance and simplicity. However Luu and Matsuba have taken ikebana's traditional edicts and broken away, reforming this art form in a pleasing and modern light.
The coherence of the book is centered around "four of Ikebana's most salient themes: naturalness, balance, movement and simplicity" incorporating seasonal flowerings and fruitings. The variety of containers and pots used is exciting, making me want to explore the dark reaches of my cupboards for interesting vessels that I could use.
The photographic record is exquisite in it representations and does much to make this book not only a pleasurable learning tool but a visual delight.
Now I'm no ikebana expert or devotee but I was captivated by this book, so much so that I'm going to purchase the hard copy. (My purchasing preference for such works, including art books is always the hard copy)
I really that in these times the meditative aspect of Ikebana is like a soothing balm to the spirit.
BTW I adore Hellebores and loved that they were included in a couple of the arrangements. To my mind they're a rather shy plant, yet absolutely stunning and here they starred.
This book breaks away from the established form, playing with given ideas and imbuing a new impetus. I loved it!
An Artisan Books ARC via NetGalley
Ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of flower arranging, with Zen Buddhist roots. The thing is it's such a contemplative form of doing that it brings the concept of rest into our focus, the mindfulness of the doing and constructing.
As the authors declare in their vey thoughtful opening, in today's trends towards minimalism , "ikebana feels undeniably fresh and incredibly resonant."
Ikebana finds "inspiration in the natural world," and looks to combining tenets of movement, balance and simplicity. However Luu and Matsuba have taken ikebana's traditional edicts and broken away, reforming this art form in a pleasing and modern light.
The coherence of the book is centered around "four of Ikebana's most salient themes: naturalness, balance, movement and simplicity" incorporating seasonal flowerings and fruitings. The variety of containers and pots used is exciting, making me want to explore the dark reaches of my cupboards for interesting vessels that I could use.
The photographic record is exquisite in it representations and does much to make this book not only a pleasurable learning tool but a visual delight.
Now I'm no ikebana expert or devotee but I was captivated by this book, so much so that I'm going to purchase the hard copy. (My purchasing preference for such works, including art books is always the hard copy)
I really that in these times the meditative aspect of Ikebana is like a soothing balm to the spirit.
BTW I adore Hellebores and loved that they were included in a couple of the arrangements. To my mind they're a rather shy plant, yet absolutely stunning and here they starred.
This book breaks away from the established form, playing with given ideas and imbuing a new impetus. I loved it!
An Artisan Books ARC via NetGalley
November 25, 2025
Ikebana is a magical art form.
I’ve been fortunate to see a number of shows & presentations.
Unfortunately, I felt this book was too limiting or clinical & it wasn’t really inspiring.
I’ve been fortunate to see a number of shows & presentations.
Unfortunately, I felt this book was too limiting or clinical & it wasn’t really inspiring.
October 10, 2020
The shutdown gives me cravings for flowers and nature...
This book gives me inspiration. Beautiful photos of interesting arrangements. The vases and vessels are awesome. Plus there’s interesting history about Ikebana and easy to follow instructions. My floral creative side has been sparked. A beautiful book in every way.
This book gives me inspiration. Beautiful photos of interesting arrangements. The vases and vessels are awesome. Plus there’s interesting history about Ikebana and easy to follow instructions. My floral creative side has been sparked. A beautiful book in every way.
October 21, 2020
I think this book would be infinitely more enjoyable in paper form. I read it on my Kindle...
February 10, 2021
Japanese flower arranging. A reference for my crepe paper flower bouquets. Lots of photos.
May 19, 2021
A beautiful book.
July 25, 2021
A book of visual elegance and simplicity in all shapes and forms..
Flower arrangement is an art and a science and it takes one to know one..
Thank you for this amazing book!
❤️❤️❤️🦋🦋🦋🌻🌻🌻
🌷🌸❇️🌺🌻🌼🏵️💐💮🥀
Flower arrangement is an art and a science and it takes one to know one..
Thank you for this amazing book!
❤️❤️❤️🦋🦋🦋🌻🌻🌻
🌷🌸❇️🌺🌻🌼🏵️💐💮🥀
September 6, 2022
Short introduction to ikebana, followed by pictures of some beautiful arrangements with instructions for recreating them.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews