Takaya Fujii: Ikebana: ‘The Way of the Flower’

“Ikebana is not a mere decoration, it is an art. Ikebana is not for Japan alone, it is for the whole world.” – Sofu Teshigahara (1900-1979)

The word ikebana (生け花) comes from the Japanese “ikeru” (生ける) which means to arrange, and “hana” (花) which means flower. Ikebana is a beautiful, sophisticated art form emphasising form and balance whilst generating a peaceful, meditative quality to not only the designer, but also anyone looking upon the arrangements. It can be literally translated as “living flowers”. Ikebana is also known as Kado or “way of the flower”.

Ikebana has long been the provenance of Japanese royalty and samurai families, with teaching being controlled by the hierarchical monks of the major temples in Japan. For hundreds of years, it was not available to the ordinary folk. The secrets of ikebana had been locked away within the inner cloisters of the upper echelons of Japanese society; only in more recent times have these been more freely distributed.

Takaya Fujii’s ikebana has a significance far beyond its role as just art. It bridges Japanese Buddhist and Shintoistic principles of life and it reminds us that the impermanent beauty of nature should be honoured. Salt and water are the principal elements of purification and longevity for Fujii’s work.

A Kyoto native, Fujii’s “Salty Ikebana” shows how important salt was for people in Kyoto for purification ceremonies and food conservation. The artist’s ikebana process is equally important as its display. A series of meditative walks through time and nature is part of the entire ritual. We were delighted to host this special exhibition of his work and artist talk, which you can watch below.

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