Ikebana Origin of

Asuka Period Nanbokucho Period

In Japan different seasonal flowers bloom throughout the year. “Flowers to be appreciated,” “Yorishiro (an object that divine spirits are summoned to),” “Flower offerings on the Buddhist altar” with these interacting elements in place ikebana began to be formalized.

Flowers to be appreciated

Viewing plants and appreciating flowers are customs common in countries around the world. Since there are four distinct seasons in Japan, one can enjoy beautiful flowers throughout the year. In these circumstances people refined their sensibility for appreciating flowers. Anthologies of waka poetry such as the “Manyoshu” and “Kokinwakashu” included many poems on the topic of flowers.

Yorishiro an object that divine spirits are summoned to

Having lived in harmony with nature and sensed life’s fleetingness in the change of seasons, people found special meaning in evergreen trees. They believed that these trees are Yorishiro to which divine spirits are summoned. Kadomatsu, a pair of pine boughs used even today as decoration for the New Year, is one of the forms of Yorishiro.

Flower offering on the Buddhist altar

With the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century, the custom of offering flowers on the Buddhist altar became common. As indicated by the use of the Chinese character meaning “flower” is the names of sutras such as the “Kegon-kyo (Avatamsaka Sutra)” and “Hokke-kyo (Lotus Sutra),” from the beginning flowers have been deeply related to Buddhism. Lotus is widely found in India where Buddhism originated, and it is a representative flower for Buddhist offerings. In Japan, however, other suitable flowers for each season were selected for this purpose. Among various ways of Buddhist offering, placing Mitsugusoku, a set of three ceremonial objects - flower vase, incense burner and candle holder became popular in the Kamarura and Nanbokucho periods.

“Choju Jinbutsu Giga (Scroll of frolicking animals and humans)”

Original scroll is owned by Kozanji temple, Kyoto

Buddhist floral offering is illustrated on this scroll from the Heian period. Lotus is offered in front of a frog mimicking Buddha.

Early Muromachi Period

Ikebana developed during the process of experimenting with new approaches and techniques for placing flowers in Chinese vases. In Kyoto flowers arranged by Senkei Ikenobo of the Rokkakudo temple were widely praised.