The skill of making Ikebana arrangement is seldom used for running a floral shop, wedding or funeral floral decorations. In this sense, Ikebana is not very useful as far as we do floral business in the United States. However when it comes to making table arrangements displayed at a reception counter, front desk or elevator hall of hotels etc. etc., Ikebana arrangement looks pretty unique and attractive because most floral arrangements displayed at hotels and offices are typical American or European floral designs. Therefore it may be a very good idea to offer Ikebana floral decorations once in a while so you can make a difference in the hotel or office floral decorations and you may get a step ahead of the competition.
Unlike European or American style flower arrangements, Ikebana arrangement requires a little bit different type of skills. This is mainly because of the difference in the way of expressing the beauty of arrangements and different kind of plant elements as well as the type of devices used for arranging. Take plant materials used for Ikebana for instance, it often uses materials other than flowers, namely thin branches, twigs like curly willows, greeneries such as fresh leaves and ferns that have been being often used for typical traditional Ikebana arrangements. Although they are not colorful, they help create a quiet atmosphere and also graceful beauty of linear curve which is not so popular in European or American floral arrangements.
As for the devices used for arrangements, Ikebana uses what is called “Kenzan” which is a kind of frog or needlepoint holder to hold flowers in the container. If I translate “Kenzan” into English, it means “sword mountain”. Namely Kenzan is made from heavy metal and so many needles are placed on the heavy plate made of metal. When Ikebana artists arrange flowers, they insert flower stems onto the needles of Kenzan whereby flowers can be stabilized. In fact Kenzan has a function similar to floral foams used for European or American floral arrangements. As for containers, they use what is called “Suiban” which is a shallow type flat container in which they can easily place above mentioned Kenzan. Suiban is totally different from a regular type of vase used for European floral arrangements.
In Japan, there are so many instructors specialized in Ikebana or European floral arrangements. Some instructors learned both arts and they teach Ikebana and European designs as well. Therefore it is not very difficult to learn the difference between these two types of arrangements. When it comes to floral designers in the United States or Europe, we seldom find instructors who are familiar with both types of arrangements. In this sense it may be somewhat difficult to learn the difference from one instructor. Therefore if you want to learn Ikebana arrangements in the United States, you need to find an instructor specialized in Ikebana arrangement.
Since majority of instructors specialize in European or American floral arrangement in the States, you can make a difference by way of making the best use and appeal the difference of Ikebana arrangements.
California Flower Art Academy offers a WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMS from European floral arrangements to Japanese traditional Ikebana arts, beginner to professional levels AND wedding to funeral decorations. Students can make a choice of their most favorite course by well considering their taste, requirements and goal. California Flower Art Academy has been operating in the San Francisco Bay Area (San Mateo County close to San Francisco Airport) and Silicon Valley (San Jose) since 1990 as a floral school certified by Flower Decorators Association (Tokyo Japan). Those who are interested in learning Ikebana are recommended to try Ikebana Short Seminar Program for only $89. If you prefer European designs, you can start from Introductory Trial Budget Program for only $69. For more information, contact info@california-academy.com
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