History of Ikebana

What are the origins of ikebana? The general belief is that ikebana originated from the practice of offering flowers to the Buddha. Some believe that in ancient times, prior to the introduction of Buddhism to Japan (600 BC), that the placing of evergreen branches and the arranging of flowers was a way of calling up the spirit Shinto Gods of nature, and that this was perhaps, the initial basis of Ikebana.

During the  Muromachi Period (1336-1573) (from the end of 14th century to the later part of the 16th century) the first clear expressions of Ikebana, as an art form, started to evolve. It was during this period that Ikebana developed beyond religious practices, and to the attention and emphasis of arranging rather than to the mere appreciation of the beauty of the materials themselves. Chabana (tea flowers) which developed during this same period, was a method of arranging appropriate flowers and materials for display at a tea ceremony.

From the Azuchi Momoyama Period (1560-1600) through the beginning of the Edo Period (1603-1867), Ikebana became widely popular among the urban merchant class, and initially it was only men who practiced the art.

 A significant change took place when the Meiji government (1868-1912) introduced Ikebana into the education curriculum for girls. Until the 1960’s, Ikebana was regarded as a female social grace to be practiced before marriage.

Japan has several hundred different schools of Ikebana with overseas branches and international students. The schools represent a wide range of aesthetic, expressive, and conceptual styles ranging from the very traditional to the modern and contemporary curriculums such as that of the Sogetsu School.