An all-rounder Ikebana arrangement is one of the key lessons when learning Ikebana especially under Sogetsu School. It is an arrangement that can be viewed from all side. For some, this arrangement is a bit of a challenge because the balance and space should be maintained from all angles without making the whole arrangement monotonous. This means that movement should also be considered while doing an all-rounder.
During my days as an Ikebana student, I tried creating all-rounder arrangements using minimal materials. This is to keep focus on the colors and harmony amongst the flowers. However, as I progress in my studies, I also try to challenge my skills as a learner of the art. Yesterday, I again tried to make an all-rounder. But this time, I was more adventurous. Instead of using minimal materials, I combined five materials of different colors, textures, and forms. And instead of keeping uniformity from all angles, I made each angle different from the other but still maintained their harmony and cohesion. Doing so, I was able to create six different points of view of my all-rounder arrangement.
Each side highlights one or two materials. But as a whole, they give a progressive form of the whole arrangement. The arrangement takes its viewers to a progressive journey from the gentle colors of yellow and green until the aggressive contrasts of green and dark pink. Along the way, some materials at the forefront become supporting materials and vice-versa.
