I bought this container at a local supermarket in Tokyo. It was meant to be a fruit basket (but it is ceramic). With the dried vines as handle, it was perfect as a flower container as well! So, in the same way we put a variety of fruit in a basket, I used a variety of flowers: liatris, alstroemeria, anastasia…plus forsythia branches from the backyard!
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. —Miyako
Most of the time, we learn to make arrangements to be placed on a table or stand. But if we look around our surroundings, sometimes we can find lovely spaces on the floor as well. This arrangement is laid on the floor on purpose. The intention is for the viewer to see it while looking downward from standing position.
I used an obi (kimono sash) as a way to give a sense of space around the arrangement.
The placement is on a stairs landing. Here is what you would see as you round the corner coming from downstairs.
I also made sure that the arrangement could be appreciated as one comes down from upstairs.
I hope you like it. —Miyako
Winter time in Nova Scotia. Lots of festive materials in the farmer’s market. I came upon these wonderful bundles of Nova Scotia holly.
And from there came my winter holiday-themed arrangement!
Merry Christmas! —Miyako
This arrangement was from a few months ago…when the weather was still warm! I found some lovely hydrangea with robust blooms in purple and green. I purposely chose very flat containers to further draw attention to the flowers.
Extra Detail: I left some space between the mouth of the container and the flowers so that the shape of the container may be properly appreciated as well!
I hope you like it. —Miyako
Here is a holiday-themed arrangement created for our friends at the North Star Immigration Law office. The arrangement gives us the festive & glittery feel of the holidays on a red-white colour theme.
I hope you like it. —Miyako
In the Season 8 opener of CBC’s hit comedy series “Mr. D”, the main character, Gerry, goes to Tokyo to seek his fortune. Here is a screenshot of a scene set in a Tokyo apartment. Do you see the ikebana?
Screenshot from “Mr. D”, Season 8, Ep 1, aired on Nov 7th, 2018.
Watch the episode here. (For Canadian audiences only.)
“Mr. D” is actually shot here in Halifax and the school they use for most of the scenes is located a few blocks from our shop! The set department did a wonderful job of re-creating the inside of a Tokyo apartment here in Halifax. We were honoured to help with this by providing an ikebana arrangement to the set.
Photo courtesy of Barb L. Thank you!
We hope you enjoyed the show….and liked the ikebana!
In ikebana, we like to use seasonal materials to remind us of our connection with nature and to make us aware of the passage of time. In autumn in Nova Scotia brings out pumpkins, squashes and dry corn, used for displays to celebrate the autumn harvest.
In this arrangement, I use some dry corn, which could be found in any market in the fall.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. —Miyako
In Sogetsu's Textbook 5, the theme of "Composing With Branches" (木の構成とその展開) requires a two-step approach.
First, a free-standing structure of branches only is created.
Then, plant materials are added to enhance and complete the composition.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
This is a composition using unconventional materials--a piece of black board and a white board with a round hole, which is a part used to secure an air-conditioner's ventilation duct!
Together with a white container, I constructed a black-and-white background with a geometric nuance.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
This arrangement uses maple branches just as the leaves are sprouting. The green spider mums on the edge serves to connect the maple branch and the container. The gypsophilia keeps the arrangement fluffy and light.
The bottom part of the container is intentionally left empty, showing only the anchored maple branches. It provides a gentle climbing feeling to the arrangement.
Here is the whole arrangement.
I hope you like it. --Miyako
