The art of Ikebana, which literally means "living flowers" has played for centuries a major role in the evolution of Japanese culture, being one of the most original and easy to be recognised Asian arts. Since the ancient times, Ikebana was regarded as an art, very difficult to master, and the best practicians oftne had several students, who passed the teachings from generation to generation. The Ikebana displays were and still are today used for the most varied occasions : on a Buddhist altar, for a family celebration or public events, to discover and evolve as a person (by studying it) or simply for the pleasure of the eye and mind. Combining the delicate and special flowers of Japan in misterious and astoundingly beautiful ways, Ikebana has been the object of fascination outside Japan since the first Europeans discovered it. Nowadays it is taught throughout the world, both by Japanese masters and European or Japanese teachers.
The British Museum in London will be hosting until August 19 an exhibition dedicated to the art of Ikebana, with the title "Ikebana : Living Flowers of Japan". For this occasion several members of the Ikebana International, the leading society representing this Japanese art, will create for art lovers seven displays, all different, one per week, each in a large jar made of ceramic. This jar is special for it was made by Fujiwara Yu (1932
-2001), one of the greatest masters of ceramics in Japan, who was even designated Living National Treasure by the Japanese government.
Each display will be special and unique, and the visitors have the chance of admiring it for a whole week and return the next, for yet another display of Ikebana at it's best.
2007-07-23
