Published by Tuttle Publishing an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., www.tuttlepublishing.com Copyright © 2006 Keiko Kubo All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Kubo, Keiko, 1962-Keiko's ikebana / Keiko Kubo.- 1st. ed. p. cm. ISBN: 978-1-4629-0600-0 (ebook) 1. Flower arrangement, Japanese. I. Title. SB450.K75 2005 745.92'252-dc22 2004024687 DISTRIBUTED BY North America, Latin America & Europe Tuttle Publishing 364 Innovation Drive North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A. Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930 Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993 [email protected] www.tuttlepublishing.com Japan Tuttle Publishing Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 141 0032 Tel: (81) 3 5437-01 71 Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755 [email protected] Asia Pacific Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd. 61 Tai Seng Avenue, #02-12 Singapore 534167 Tel: (65) 6280-1330 Fax: (65) 6280-6290 [email protected] www.periplus.com First edition 12 11 10 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Printed in Singapore TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. Acknowledgments First, I would like to express my appreciation to Jennifer Brown at Tuttle Publishing for giving me this special opportunity. I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to the people who helped me complete this project, especially: photographer Erich Schrempp, of Schrempp Studio, who took the wonderful photos featured here; Anjeli Flowers, 7643 W. Belmont, Elmwood Park, IL, (708) 452-9004; and Edward Campbell, for his assistance with writing in English and revising my manuscript. —KEIKO KUBO A project like Keiko's Ikebana requires that the composition and lighting be approached as simply and subtly as possible, allowing the arrangements to stand on the page without distraction. Light is a tool that is most powerful when it's wielded with the gentlest touch. You can't improve on a flower, but you can wrap it in light in such a way that it becomes almost luminous. That's what I set out to do in Keiko's Ikebana. —ERICH SCHREMPP Contents Acknowledgments Introduction About Ikebana The History of Ikebana Ikebana Today Keiko's Approach Chapter 1: Ikebana Basics Containers Container Ideas Ikebana Tools and Materials Ikebana Techniques Cutting Supporting Techniques Helpful Hints Chapter 2: Design Principles Line Volume (Mass and Depth) Accent Other Elements of Design Considering Plant Materials The Process of Making Ikebana Moribana Style Nageire Style Chapter 3: Inspiration Keiko's Ikebana Gallery Chapter 4: 20 Step-by-Step Arrangements