From origami to kintsugi, Japanese crafting has a way of transforming the everyday into something really special.
In flower arranging, there’s the centuries-old art of ikebana. The term, which means ‘making flowers come alive’, is all about displaying fresh blooms singularly or in a minimal yet highly stylised, structured arrangement.
A handful of premium blooms are displayed without leaves, the arch of their stems exposed so they can be admired from every angle. Done right, they look like they’re growing unsupported straight out of the bowl or vase, a living sculpture.
In other words, ikebana is about as removed from Western concepts of flower arranging as you can get.
What the two flower-arranging styles have in common is they create a mindful experience that leaves one feeling closer to nature.
Ikebana involves three elements: Shin (Heaven), Soe (Earth) and Hikae (humanity), in size order, starting with Shin. This trio, combined with the negative space created by the blooms you pick, are said to bring a sense of harmony, all adding to the elegance of your ikebana arrangement.
Interflora in-house florist, Vicky Salmon, shares her ikebana styling tips:
“When it comes to arranging ikebana vases, less is more. Remember the aesthetic needs to bring balance, harmony, and a visually appealing design to your arrangement.
- Go wild: When going through the process of ikebana, it’s important that flowers and the plant material you pick resonate with you. Choose your plant material from the natural world - think branches and twigs, spring buds foraged from the garden or simply a pretty leaf or feather.
- Less is more: Unlike Western designs where flowers are often arranged en mass and tightly constructed, ikebana uses negative space with intention.
- Define structure: Create a strong line with flowers or plant material to draw the eye through the arrangement. This could be horizontal or vertical. Vertical arrangements are ideal for making an impact in spaces like an entrance hall, while horizontal arrangements are perfect for dining tables, allowing conversation to flow over the top of them.
- A decorative approach: Asymmetry is key to achieving the Ikebana aesthetic
- Opt for odd numbers: Group flowers in odd numbers – this is typical of ikebana design and thought to bring good luck.
Since all components are held together by the base, using a good one is crucial. So, how to pick? An easy shortcut is to use a purpose-built ikebana vase. These simple designs come with a small disc packed with spiky heads known as a flower frog embedded in the base.
It’s easy to DIY an ikebana vase with the right Kenzan, another term for the flower frog.
Using this tool, any bowl, dish or serving platter can be transformed into a makeshift ikebana vase. If you’re considering doing this, choose something low-profile with a bit of a lip for the frog to hide behind when you’re looking at it at eye level.
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Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen Ikebana vase
Longing for a professional-looking centrepiece without forking out for an expert each time? This oval ikebana vase has the potential to make hastily bought supermarket blooms look the part. Simply trim stems at an angle, fill the vase with fresh water, and thread your choice through the openings using a mix of flowers, leaves and sprigs for optimum effect.
Buy now £136.00, Nordic Nest
Wazakura 2PCS Japanese Ikebana Floral Arrangement Essential Tool Set
Dish collector? Passionate about platters? Turn your prized servewear into an ikebana-ready setting with a few helpful tools. This set includes a flower frog and a pair of floristry shears to trim stems to the right length.
Buy now £54.99, Amazon
WANDIC Round Flower Frog & Ceramic Flower Pot
The beauty of ikebana is that you don’t need a traditional vase to arrange blossoms - a shallow bowl will do. This footed design comes with a sturdy flower frog packed with strong copper needles that can support all kinds of flowers and stems.
Buy now £21.69, Amazon
Georgetown Pottery Small Round Ikebana Flower Vase
It may seem feasible to display flowers in a vase so flat and shallow - but that’s before you discovered ikebana. This sweet vase comes with a frog secured right beneath the opening, making it easy to position your favourite stems.
Buy now £45.08, Amazon
Burgon & Ball Fuji Japanese Flower Arranging Bowl
Short on space? This diddly bowl will take up no room at all at 12cm across, making it perfect for displaying your latest ikebana creation on a narrow windowsill or picture ledge. It is accompanied by a Kenzan spike, or flower frog, on which to set flowers.
Buy now £7.87, Harts of Stur
KARE Design Vase Ginkgo Elegance 45cm
Dial up the Japanese vibes with this ginkgo leaf-shaped vase, pretty enough to be displayed on its own. Add flowers without them spilling out by throwing in a flower frog to hold stems steady.
Buy now £173.99, Wayfair
LSA International Rotunda Wide Glass Vase
Whether you’re doing a Western or ikebana-style arrangement, this vase is versatile enough to accommodate both. The low profile means you can throw in a flower frog and arrange your favourite stems for full-on adulation, Nippon-style.
Buy now £60.00, John Lewis
HQ Ceramics Studio Handmade Ceramic Ikebana Vase
If you want to introduce someone you love to the joy of ikebana, Etsy has nailed it. This set includes a pinch vase and a flower frog, leaving you to add fresh flower stems yourself.
Buy now £50.49, Etsy
H&M Low ikebana stoneware vase
No frog? No problem. This vase from H&M Home comes with tiny openings to hold stems upright without the need for a solid base (although this will undoubtedly help things). The stoneware design comes in a light or dark option.
Buy now £19.99, H&M
