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Say it with flowers
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College students got an opportunity to learn about the Japanese flower arrangement - Ikebana
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Photo: V.V. Krishnan
Arrangement of joy Ikebana also helps in strengthening cultural ties
Flower decoration or Ikebana is one of Japan’s most popular traditional arts and a few people here got an opportunity to learn it recently. Reverend Uchida from Japan organised an Ikebana demonstration at Maharaja Agrasen College and Hans Raj College.
The event was meant to strengthen cultural ties between India and Japan. Ikebana has its roots in Buddhist culture. According to the legend, in about 600 AD, the Prince of Japan, Shotoku Taishi, used to bathe in a beautiful pond in Rokkakudo where lotuses bloomed in abundance.
The story
The place was later considered sacred and called Ikenobo. ‘Ike’ means ‘pond’ and ‘bo’ means ‘a priest’s residence or temple.’ The people of Ikenobo started offering flowers to the Buddha.
As Buddhism gained popularity, arranging flowers in a container and placing them in the Buddha’s altar room became prevalent among the high ranking nobles.
By the 17th Century, Ikebana had become popular across Japan.
As far as the flower arrangement is concerned, there are three levels to it. The topmost level of an arrangement denotes the heavens or the sun and other celestial bodies, or the Buddha.
The middle level is the earth, and the lower rung depicts human beings. The love towards nature is reflected in an arrangement of flowers.
The rules for arranging them teach courtesy and wisdom.
Reverend Uchida had earlier introduced Japanese arts like Mandala and Wagima painting in India. The Reverend said, “I feel relaxed in India.” The classes were conducted by his daughter, Emiko Uchida.
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