Japanese Ikebana for Every Season - Hardcover

Ueno, Yuji; Imai, Rie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 4805312122 ISBN 13: 9784805312124

Publisher: Tuttle Publishing, 2014

Synopsis

Ikebana, or "making flowers alive" in Japanese, is the ancient art of formal flower arrangement.

Practiced since the seventh century, the true goal of Ikebana is to take a few beautiful flowers and plants and tastefully present them in very simple containers to enhance home decor. The 53 elegant designs featured in Japanese Ikebana for Every Season are perfect for special occasions—Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthday, anniversary—or any event that calls for a flower bouquet.

The key to proper Ikebana arrangements is to understand a few straightforward principles—like the idea of mitate, seeing old things with new eyes—and to learn a few easy techniques to stabilize and support plants inside a vase or container. Using common flowers and plants from the garden, a nearby field or forest, or the local florist, anyone can easily create lovely Ikebana in just a few minutes.

Authors Rie Imai and Yuji Ueno explain how to select flowers and containers from things that are already around—and then turn them into something special. The basic instructions in the book cover a wide range of styles that encourage readers to use their own creativity rather than copying traditional and highly technical Ikebana design concepts.

No matter what time of year it is and regardless of your taste or budget, the arrangements in this book will lend a touch of Japanese elegance to your home.

About this title

About the Author:

Rie Imai studied floral design at Parsons New School for Design in New York and the City College of San Francisco. Her ultimate goal is to show how traditional and modern Asian aesthetics may be brought into daily life.

Yuji Ueno is an independent floral artist who has developed his own unique philosophy and artistic sensibility—by turns outrageously passionate and exceptionally tranquil. Yuji has created his own distinctive style that is not linked with any recognized Japanese Ikebana school, allowing him the freedom to chart his own course. He regularly wins national Ikebana challenge competitions in Japan.

Noboru Murata is one of Japan's most accomplished photographers. Based in Tokyo, he works for Elle Deco Japon, Casa Mica Italy and Elle a Table Japon. His books include The Sushi Lover's Cookbook, Japan Style, Japanese Gardens and Japan Home.

Review:

"Japanese Ikebana for Every Season is a rewarding visual feast for the eyes—as sumptuous as it is celebratory of the Japanese flower arrangement tradition. It rediscovers anew the wondrous, iconic, evocative and arresting beauty of the Ikebana art form." —Kasumi Yamamoto, chair of the Department of Asian Studies, Williams College

"What a wonderful book. A treasure trove of techniques, beautiful photographs and aesthetically arranged floral arrangements guaranteed to inspire the Ikebana lover." —Kurt Vargo, professor of Illustration and Communication Arts, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia

"I found the book a fascinating presentation of contemporary expression of a traditional Japanese art and recommend it to everyone interested in new trends in Ikebana." —Robert M. Tieger, Architect, New York

"Yuji Ueno's ikebana makes me feel as if the roots of the plants are wriggling in the containers. This impressive book is filled with works that convey the "vibration" Yuji perceives from plants and leads him to create a sense of movement, strength and contrast in his wonderful arrangements." —Hiroshi Hayama, Owner, Utsuwa Floral Design, San Francisco

"[T]his beautiful book provides a modern approach to the ancient art of ikebana. Exquisite photography of seasonal arrangements highlights the elegance and simplicity of this traditional art form. Both the novice and advanced practitioner will delight in the presentation of applying basic techniques with a modern approach. There are many inspiring examples for easily creating stunning arrangements to enhance any environment." —Ikebana International, Detroit Chapter

"In the unique world of Japanese design and Tuttle's tradition of excellence, this is a beautifully photographed collection of expressive and inspiring contemporary ikebana with just the right blend of playful whimsy and serene natural beauty." —Mary Burnett de Gomez, Ichiyo School Master, Ikebana Instructor and Owner, Hanayagi Japanese Garden Shop, Albuquerque

"Having fully mastered the techniques of traditional Ikebana, Yuji Ueno has then discarded them and created a completely new understanding for the modern Ikebana of today. This book provides us with many suggestions of the kinds of floral work that will allow Ikebana to move forward, today and into the future." —Kosen Ohtsubo, Modern Ikebana Artist and Headmaster's Advisory Instructor, Ryusei School

"This book contains basic ikebana techniques, seasonal interpretations of ikebana art, and most of all, sophisticated representations of modern Japanese culture through flowers. It is beautifully presented, and is an excellent introduction for readers to have a wider vision of ikebana." —Keisuke Kawasaki, researcher and principal, Mami Flower Design School, Tokyo

About this edition

• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 4805312122
• ISBN 13: 9784805312124
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144