Recently I went to Kyoto for special training. I’ve studied Ikebana for 15 years. Why have I been I learning Ikebana for such a long time? Because Ikebana contains a really deep philosophy, and I like nature and I can make a small flower arrangement using Ikebana philosophy by myself on the table. That makes many people comfortable.
My training was at Ikenobo. Ikenobo is my ikebana school that is also known as the oldest and the biggest school in Japan. It was my first time taking a lecture in Kyoto. I was a little bit nervous and my heart was pounding!
My class was on Rikka; it lasted for 2 days. I had a lecture on Rikka on the first day, and the teacher showed us his Ikebana demonstrations. First I’d like to explain Rikka.
1. What is Rikka?
Rikka is the most formal and traditional style of Ikebana. The form was created in the Kamakura period in Japan. ( This means over 600 years ago). Rikka requires many flowers and tree stems and focuses on the small landscape of nature. Because I grew up in Japan, I like to express Japanese nature by plants. I felt Rikka was such a formal yet elegant work of art.
- When I make Rikka, I make it for some special ceremonies and for New Years.
3. What’s the most important thing about Rikka?
Rikka is made from many plants. We use flowers, grass, and tree branches to make it. These help me make a small landscape that can express the seasons and nature in Japan. I studied about Rikka in the lecture, what a deep philosophy of Ikebana!
0.What I ate in Kyoto??
The First night I ate Hamberg at Toyotei! the Hamberg is really great, I love it! I always have humbug meals there when I visit in Kyoto.
The second night I went to the nice restaurant”ＳＡＶＯＲＹ” near Ikenobo building. I ordered Salade and stake! This restaurant sticks to vegetables and fruits and is very delicious. Slade was so beautiful and you can see many kinds of pickles side of the dish! the steak sauce is many kinds as well.
It was so big Maccha frappe in Kyoto station. I was very tired to walk bring big baggage. and the frappe called me;)Tsuruya is traditional Japanese sweets shop that has a long history. The taste was really great! But it was more expensive than my lunch(+o+)