#TogetherIsBeautiful - NUDE Ikebana Slanting Moribana

Slanting Moribana by The Ikebana Project

This week Barry Marré @the_ikebana_project shares a step by step guide for creating a Slanting Moribana showcased in a NUDE Contour Wide Bowl. Learn more about our collaboration with Barry and about the art form Ikebana here and read last week’s post to understand the principles of Moribana and the items needed when creating your own Ikebana arrangements.

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Ikebana is a tradition that began in the 6th century for ritual flower-offerings to the Buddha, and has since evolved into many different interpretations. At its core, it is a meditative practice that encourages us to take a step back and channel the mind into the beauty of floral art.

I like to use serpentine branches, by this I mean that the branches need to have an interesting shape. I look at how I can use the branch in its most optimal way. Often I do that by cutting away the little pieces and try to bring "peace" into the branch. I also often extend the branches slightly so it creates a larger arrangement.

A step by step guide for creating a Slanting Moribana

NUDE product: Contour wide bowl with copper foot

Flowers used: Seringea

Method:

Remove all the greens from the branches so that the flower and shape can be better seen
Take your first branch and trim to the (diameter of your vase + the height of the vase) x 1.5 Here that equals (55 + 25 ) x 1.5 (120cm in length)
Take your second branch and trim to ¾ of the length of the first branch
Repeat above for your third branch so it is ¾ of the length of the second branch
Add some stones to the base of your bowl to add some height to the Ikebana arrangement (pictured here black stones have been added to the bottom of a NUDE Contour Wide Bowl)
Place your kenzan in the top left of your bowl
Place your first branch in the right part of the kenzan at a 45 degree angle towards your right shoulder
Place the second branch in the top centre of the kenzan at a 15 degree angle to the right and leaning slightly towards you (the front)
Place the third branch in the bottom left of the kenzan at a 75 degree angle towards your left shoulder (the three branches will form a triangle)
Place kenzan in the back left of the bowl so you can see the water and the branches play in its reflection
Cover the kenzan with the remaining foliage/flowers