Japanese Aesthetics - Ma, by Kimiko Gunji [From Tachibana, No. 29, 1994, p. 32-34]
Spatiality and asymmetry are the two most striking characteristics of the Japanese flower arrangement when compared with its Western counterpart. These characteristic are responsible for the simplicity, yet brilliance, of the Japanese flower arrangement; for this there is a word, “ma.” According to one of the authoritative Japanese dictionaries the word ma means, in spatial terms, “the natural pause or interval between two or more things existing in continuity,” or in temporal terms, “the natural pause or interval between two or more phenomena occurring continuously.” Read more.....

The Rokkakudo Temple, located in the center of Kyoto, is believed to have been founded by Shotoku Taishi about 1400 years ago. Priests who made floral offerings morning and evening to the Buddhist alter of the Rokkakudo Temple lived near a pond (the Japanese word for pond is “ike”) in a small hut (“bo”). For this reason, people began to call the priests by the name “Ikenobo.” Ikebana began with and was spread by Ikenobo, and from Ikenobo have come many famous ikebana masters.

By Mel Fabrikant - February 21, 2011

Under the tutelage of Professor Toshio Okimatsu, sensei, a group gathered at Trinity Presbyterian Church to prepare arrangements for display at Trinity’s celebration of the Chinese New Year the next day. Chapter President Brian Mikesell traveled two and a half hours from the Berkshires to be with his group. A chapter of the Ikenobo school of ikebana, they are dedicated to the traditional art of Japanese flower arrangement. Follow through the website www.nytachibana.com.

NY Tachibana Lunar New Year Exhibition.. Not understanding the dedication of the group, an interview with Mikesell while he was designing and forming his offering revealed some insight. What looked like a few botanical products placed in a fancy container turned out to require deep insight and thought. The finished product has to portray something, mostly a story or blending of nature’s resources. Each item has to be placed exactly so to represent the idea behind it.

In one example, there were three stems placed in a row. Each stem, and flower, had to be precisely positioned and be able to present a view of singleness from one aspect and the three items visible from another view. In another project the position of the leaves and branches have to be representative of the desired expression; perhaps the moon, sun, wind ,life.or how they relate to each other. A complicated process, adeptness in ikebana takes years of study.

There are more pictures taken by Brian. To view the album, please click here.

If you’re interested in learning more about ikebana or New York Tachibana, please contact:
Brian Mikesell
P.O. Box 214
Mill River, MA 01244
mikeselb@gmail.com