Another flower container that I was able to unearth during my recent trip to Japan was this blue vase. Isn't it pretty? This is my first time to use it.

For today's ikebana, I did have a variety of colourful flowers to choose from but I decided that the simple yellow of the alstroemeria would be the perfect companion to the blueness of the container.

I also had some wonderfully leafy weigela branches to work with. But, as much as I loved the little stems branching out of the main branch, I found my clippers snipping away at a furious pace until I ended up with only a strong, simple line. My guess is that it all came back to that desire to show off the container. That was also the reason why I left the lower portion empty.

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. --Miyako

P.S. If you are wondering if we have this vase for sale at our shop, the answer unfortunately is "no". I only found it in a little antique shop in Tokyo!