Ikebana is known as the art of Japanese flower arranging and is also known as kadō. The literal meaning of the word is the arrangement of plant materials. 

The history of ikebana goes back to the sixth century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China and Korea. Buddhist floral offerings were placed on the altar of temples. The offering consisted of three main stems gathered closely at the base rising from the water as one. The three stems were used to represent the harmonious relationship between heaven, earth, and man. As time passed, ikebana began to be displayed in the homes of the upper classes. Increasingly the purpose changed from a religious offering to a decoration of the home. The tradition of ikebana is still alive and well.

The different forms and styles of ikebana attempt to blend with the modern spaces where people live and work. Arrangements make use of natural materials to convey the beauty of nature indoors. The tradition has evolved into a modern art form that can be enjoyed by everyone.

The two most common styles of ikebana are moribana and nageire. Moribana means “piled up” and is arranged in low, shallow containers. Nageire means “thrown in” and arrangements are made in tall vases. Always remembering the key principle that the arrangement symbolizes the connection between heaven, earth, and man, with each represented by different elements in the arrangement.

Ikebana uses asymmetrical forms and empty spaces which makes it quite different from traditional North American floral arrangements. The designs also use as few stems as possible to emphasize the elegant line of the material or the beauty of the flower. The objective is to create a sense of balance among the materials, the container and the surrounding space.