Ikebana Helping People Become Better

Posted on March 27, 2009 with 1 Comment

Flowers, buds, branches and leaves, to Elaine Arita, are like paintbrushes and canvas were to Van Gogh and Monet. They are what help her create magnificent works of art.

Arita is a well-known master of ikebana, the Japanese art of arranging flowers. Arita usually places all her materials on a table and the eyes them carefully before beginning to work on her art. “I don’t have any preconceived ideas, I look at all the materials, and certain things will draw my attention. Once I decide where the first material goes, the arrangement usually comes together easily.”

Arita says, “Creating an arrangement begins with thinking, visualizing, researching, sketching, gathering materials and deciding what vessel to use. Putting together the actual arrangement doesn’t take long, perhaps an hour.”

“Like any art, introspection and contemplation is an important part of the process. I find it rewarding to create something beautiful for the enjoyment of others, and doing so I become a better person, more relaxed, patient and aware.”

Though people have been using flowers to decorate their homes and gardens for centuries, the art of ikebana is quite disciplined, and has been fostering an intimate relationship with nature in Japan for nearly 600 years.

[Via: Star Bulletin]