It was almost a month ago when I saw some painted Ruscus leaves at our local flower shop. They were in silver and royal blue colors. It is quite early for some winter colors but I could not resist on buying some stems. Artificially-colored fresh materials are not detested in Ikebana. However, most practitioners still prefer to showcase the natural colors of the plants. On one hand, I also understand.. Read More
Small arrangements in Ikebana is as challenging as making huge ones. At least it is for me. When using small vases or containers, there is not much space to position the fresh materials. Plus the flowers or leaves one can put can be very limited. For this week’s lesson with my sensei, I challenged myself to do a composition using a number of small Ikebana arrangements. I had the idea.. Read More
Garden cuttings are good materials for your Ikebana. Fresh materials without paying a cent. For this week’s Tuesday Ikebana, I used some garden cuttings from my balcony. As temperature get higher, the scarcity and prices of flowers in our area also get higher. This is why I keep some plants in our balcony for my Ikebana needs. Garden Cuttings for Ikebana After our morning lessons at Seishincho Community Center, I.. Read More
Todoroki Valley is a sweet escape away from the busy life in the metropolis without going too far from it. In search of places to explore during Golden Week minus the clamour, my husband and I went to this gorge for an afternoon walk. From Nishi-Kasai it was about an hour and a half to Todoroki Station by train. The moment we got off from Oimachi train, the quaint vibe.. Read More
Azalea and Rhododendrons are in season at the moment. These beautiful flowers continue the spring feel as the temperature start to get warmer. In Japan, azalea is commonly a preferred plant species for box hedges along major roads. Sometime in the last days of April until mid-May, these flowers start to pop on the green beds. Nezu Shrine is a popular place that people visit during azalea season. But if.. Read More