Synopses & Reviews
The true meaning of Ikebanaand#8212;the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangementand#8212;is to take a few beautiful flowers and plants and tastefully present them in very simple containers to enhance home decor. The 53 elegant arrangements featured in andlt;iandgt;Japanese Ikebana for Every Seasonandlt;/iandgt; are perfect for special occasionsand#8212;Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthday, anniversaryand#8212;or any event that calls for a flower bouquet.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;The key to good Ikebana arrangements is to understand a few very simple principlesand#8212;like the idea of andlt;iandgt;mitateandlt;/iandgt;, seeing old things with new eyesand#8212;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 these lovely Ikebana in just a few minutes.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Authors Rie Imai and Yuji Ueno explain how to select flowers and containers from things that are already aroundand#8212;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.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;No matter what time of year it is and regardless of your taste or budgetand#8212;the arrangements in this book will lend a touch of Japanese elegance to your home.
Review
andlt;divandgt;"This is a style of Ikebana which will appeal to everyoneand#8212;whether they are a seasoned ikebana practitioner or new to the art and discover in it a sensitivity to nature that touches their heart. Many layers of beauty have been assembled to create the inspiring contemporary arrangements and interesting ideas in this book which effectively communicate the essence of nature in a beautiful simplified form."and#8212;Elaine Jo, master Ikebana instructor and vice president of Washi Accents and Art Suppliesandlt;/divandgt;
Review
"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." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Mary Burnett de Gomez, Ichiyo School Master, Ikebana Instructor and Owner, andlt;iandgt;Hanayagi Japanese Garden Shopandlt;/iandgt;, Albuquerqueandlt;/bandgt;
Review
"andlt;iandgt;Japanese Ikebana for Every Seasonandlt;/iandgt; is a rewarding visual feast for the eyesand#8212;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." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Kasumi Yamamoto, chair of the Department of Asian Studies, andlt;iandgt;Williams Collegeandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;
Review
"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." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Robert M. Tieger, Architect, New Yorkandlt;/bandgt;
Review
"What a wonderful book. A treasure trove of techniques, beautiful photographs and aesthetically arranged floral arrangements guaranteed to inspire the Ikebana lover." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Kurt Vargo, professor of Illustration and Communication Arts, andlt;iandgt;Savannah College of Art and Designandlt;/iandgt;, Savannah, Georgiaandlt;/bandgt;
Review
"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 a excellent introduction for readers to have a wider vision of ikebana." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Keisuke Kawasaki, researcher and principal, andlt;iandgt;Mami Flower Design Schoolandlt;/iandgt;, Tokyoandlt;/bandgt;
Review
"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." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Kosen Ohtsubo, Modern Ikebana Artist and Headmaster's Advisory Instructor, andlt;iandgt;Ryusei Schoolandlt;/iandgt;andlt;/bandgt;
Review
"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." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;Hiroshi Hayama, Owner, andlt;iandgt;Utsuwa Floral Designandlt;/iandgt;, San Franciscoandlt;/bandgt;
Review
"While fully mastering the know-how of traditional ikebana, Yuji Ueno once makes it scrap and then build and create the know-how which meet requirements for new ikebana. This book provides us with many suggestions on what kind of floral work let people move, today and into the future."and#8212;Kosen Ohtsubo, modern ikebana artist and Headmaster's Advisory Instructor, Ryusei School
Review
"[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." and#8212;andlt;bandgt;andlt;iandgt;Ikebana Internationalandlt;/iandgt;, Detroit Chapterandlt;/bandgt;
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 the Author
andlt;bandgt;Rie Imaiandlt;/bandgt; 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.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;bandgt;Yuji Uenoandlt;/bandgt; is an independent floral artist who has developed his own unique philosophy and artistic sensibilityand#8212;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.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;bandgt;Noboru Murataandlt;/bandgt; is one of Japan's most accomplished photographers. Based in Tokyo, he works for andlt;iandgt;Elle Deco Japon, Casa Mica Italyandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Elle a Table Japonandlt;/iandgt;. His books include andlt;iandgt;The Sushi Lover's Cookbook, Japan Style, Japanese Gardensandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Japan Homeandlt;/iandgt;.