Ikebana

About the art of ikebana

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, developed from Buddhist temple arrangements in the sixth century first into an art practised by the imperial court and the nobility, and later into a broad art form with many different styles. Something constantly evolving and changing is an essential part of the long tradition of ikebana.

The Sogetsu School was founded in 1927, when Sofu Teshigahara set out to develop traditional ikebana expression. His idea was ikebana that could be created anywhere, at any time and from any material. Sogetsu means ‘grass and moon’. Today, Sogetsu is one of the most international Japanese schools of ikebana.

Studying ikebana

At Helsingin aikuisopisto, you start studying ikebana with basic arrangements called kakei. The studies focus on building a three-dimensional arrangement and on different materials and techniques. If they wish, participants can also take Sogetsu School qualifications. Students who have successfully completed the kakei studies can obtain the Yonkyu and Sankyu certificates from Tokyo.

After the basic studies, the focus moves to creative ikebana, where you learn to create an independent ikebana work through varied exercises and themes. These advanced studies can lead to the Nikyu and Ikkyu certificates. After the advanced studies, students can move on to teacher studies and complete the studies leading to a Sogetsu School ikebana teacher qualification.

Please note that the courses are taught in Finnish.

Photos: Laura Chouette and Nathan Oakley, Unsplash