ARRANGEMENTS USING ROSES
In The Oriental Manner
By Elizabeth Abler
In Japanese, the word for flower arranging is ikebana.
More than five hundred years ago, Japanese monks brought flower arranging ideas back from
China. Flower arranging became a religious rite, which developed into an art solely for the elite, and was a focus of elite activity for many years. Forms and ideas developed, as rules were established regarding the makeup of the different arrangements. In time, ikebana was enjoyed by everyone and many schools were founded; the oldest of these is Ikenobo.
The basic and more adaptable types of Japanese arrangements are called:
- shoka - an abridged form of rikka
- nagiere
- moribana
- rikka - the most difficult, complicated, and rule-controlled, with its structure of nine or sometimes seven main lines, plus possibly several supporting lines.
Except in rose societies where there are students of ikebana, we seldom find classes calling for shoka which consists of, at its most fundamental, three lines of different lengths rising gracefully from the same point of emergence, and pursuing different directions, their tips forming a scalene triangle. Nagiere and moribana also are composed of three main lines whose tips form a scalene triangle, plus subordinate lines, but the lines may emerge from different points on the pinholder.
Only fresh flowers and tree materials are used in nagiere, moribana, shoka, and rikka. Generally, moribana is done in a low container; nagiere in a tall container; shoka and rikka in an in-between container, though modern practice may deviate from this.
The Japanese have influenced our flower arranging strongly, and they have, since World War II, introduced a free style which they call jiyuka. It does not feature three main lines, but expresses the personal feelings of the arranger, is often very colorful, sometimes uses metal or plastic, and may include abstractions or mass materials. Jiyuka classes are beginning to appear in our rose shows. Our Traditional Line design is a direct result of Japanese influence, just as our arrangements are also deeply influenced by Japanese floral art.
This art is based on the idea of simplicity, clean lines, a spare amount of plant material used naturally, and always beautiful containers. It is a philosophy of love of nature expressing nature and the seasons, manifested in the choice of plant materials, combining flower and tree material. In the American Rose Society we adapt show classes to this ideal, calling them "Japanese", or "Oriental Manner." We do not follow the rigid formal rules, but typically set apart our oriental manner arrangements by specifying a low container, or tall container. We have difficulty expressing season because we deal in roses which bloom, in many parts of our country, almost all year long.
In our shows, the most important oriental manner features we look for are the asymmetry of three main lines (except in jiyuka), restrained use of plant material (seasonal only where possible), blooms and tips of stems looking up, and, of course, the perfection of the rose(s) and a design well executed.
Only fresh flowers and tree materials are used in nagiere, moribana, shoka, and rikka. Generally, moribana is done in a low container; nagiere in a tall container; shoka and rikka in an in-between container, though modern practice may deviate from this.
The Japanese have influenced our flower arranging strongly, and they have, since World War II, introduced a free style which they call jiyuka. It does not feature three main lines, but expresses the personal feelings of the arranger, is often very colorful, sometimes uses metal or plastic, and may include abstractions or mass materials. Jiyuka classes are beginning to appear in our rose shows. Our Traditional Line design is a direct result of Japanese influence, just as our arrangements are also deeply influenced by Japanese floral art.
This art is based on the idea of simplicity, clean lines, a spare amount of plant material used naturally, and always beautiful containers. It is a philosophy of love of nature expressing nature and the seasons, manifested in the choice of plant materials, combining flower and tree material. In the American Rose Society we adapt show classes to this ideal, calling them "Japanese", or "Oriental Manner." We do not follow the rigid formal rules, but typically set apart our oriental manner arrangements by specifying a low container, or tall container. We have difficulty expressing season because we deal in roses which bloom, in many parts of our country, almost all year long.
In our shows, the most important oriental manner features we look for are the asymmetry of three main lines (except in jiyuka), restrained use of plant material (seasonal only where possible), blooms and tips of stems looking up, and, of course, the perfection of the rose(s) and a design well executed.
