Exploring Ikebana

Description

Exploring Ikebana is the first book from world-renowned Ikebana-master Ilse Beunen. Throughout her impressive career she has been influenced and inspired by many different things and, as all artists do, she is still continually looking for inspiration to create fresh and innovative arrangements.

The word Ikebana rings a bell for most, but not many people can define it or grasp its essence. Exploring Ikebana wants to change this. This book is a comprehensive introduction into the art and wants to unveil some of the secrecy and philosophical ideas projected into this ancient Japanese style of flower design. Exploring Ikebana is a no-nonsense but respectful approach to the art, that will demonstrate that Ikebana arrangements are achievable for all. After an introductory chapter on schools, styles, utensils, techniques and other basics; this book hands arrangements in traditional and modern styles, made with natural and contemporary materials.

Every arrangement is richly illustrated with detailed step-by-step photographs of the creative process, making it easy to follow and come to a correct and enjoyable result. And in the end, enjoying the fleeting beauty of flowers to the fullest is what Ikebana is all about.

Ilse Beunen lived in Japan from 1989-2000 where she studied Japanese garden design and Ikebana. Back in Belgium, she set up her own Ikebana school in Antwerp. She is currently president of the Belgian Sogetsu Azalea Study Group, and many of her works are published in books and on social media. The Facebook page she and her students keep up to date is very popular and has thousands of international followers.

Ben Huybrechts, Ilse’s husband, is a Belgian photographer specialized in Fine Art and Floral Art photography. Since a couple of years Ilse and Ben work together to immortalize the impermanent art of ikebana. As a team they give Ikebana classes and photography workshops worldwide.