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Ikebana is the time-honored Japanese art of flower arrangement. This art has been practiced in Japan for more than seven centuries, and it shows no sign of losing its appeal.

• Ikebana is not a skill that can be learned overnight. For most, it takes 3-5 years of formal study and practice in order to become proficient at the art.
• Ikebana artists are skilled in all the intricacies of this ancient art. However, you don't have to be a certified artist in order to incorporate Ikebana design elements and techniques into your own flower arrangement designs.
• Ikebana is an art that is practiced by both men and women – in the past; many Samurai practiced this well-respected art.
• Flowers can be arranged in several styles. These include Heika, Nageire (flung or thrown-in flowers), Hanaisho, Morimono, and Moribana (piled-up flowers).
• The key to Ikebana arrangements is that they must be harmonious with the environment in which they exist. To this goal, Ikebana stresses that indigenous, in-season flowers, should always be used in any flower arrangement so that the arrangement is in harmony with nature. Ikebana also adheres to the idea that the beauty of the individual flowers is paramount. Stems and leaves should only be used when such use would serve to highlight the beauty of the flowers.

Heika is a basic Ikebana style that incorporates the design styles of Rikka (standing flowers), Shoka (living flowers), and Seika. In the Heika style, the emphasis is on strong vertical lines. Tall, narrow, elegant vases are often used to draw the eye upward toward the flower arrangement at the top.

• The Heika style is very formalized and has very explicit rules that must be followed in order to conform to the demands of the style.
• Rikka is one of the earliest forms of Ikebana. It also has the strictest rules.
• Shoka and Seika have less rigid rules.

Kozan Okada I created the first Nageire style arrangement in 1910. This style uses a free-style form that encourages the use of objects in their natural form rather than following regulated forms.

The Moribana style of Ikebana is noted for its use of shallow containers as an important design element. This provides a board area in which the flowers can be arranged in a natural like state.

• Unlike the Heika style, the Moribana style is relatively carefree with a minimum of rules that must be followed.

Hanaisho is a very modern Ikebana style that has incorporated a few western elements into it design motifs.

In addition to flowers and other natural materials, the Morimono style often incorporates inanimate objects, such as dolls, sand, and folk art in the flower arrangements.

In addition to fresh flowers, you will need a few additional items in order to practice Ikebana, these include,

• Hasami: These are clippers that are used to cut the flower stems. You do not have to buy the Japanese hasami clippers. Any pair of garden clippers that do not have a spring grip will work. You can also use a pair of scissors.
• Kabin: Kabins are the tall vases used in Heika flower arrangements. You can use any tall, narrow vase that fits your décor and the flowers you will be using.
• Utsuwa: This term refers to the shallow containers used for Moribana designs.
• Kenzan: This is a small holder with very sharp points that is placed in an Utsuwa container to hold the flowers upright. Kenzans can be obtained at most florist and craft shops. Look for them listed under the name of pin holder, needlepoint holder, or frog. Foam pads can also be used, but are not traditionally acceptable for Ikebana arrangements.

Realistically, most people will never have the opportunity to travel to Japan to study Ikebana. Fortunately, many practitioners of Ikebana in North America will take on students. There is also a wealth of books available on the subject.