In bloom

Last Friday, I bought flowers from Market! Market! and attempted to arrange something for my fiancé who has taken a liking to enjoying the luxury of having flowers at home. The results were a clear disaster. Unlike an outfit, I could not pull this one off. It resembled a building on fire with attempts to match differently colored flowers that angered the rational color wheel.

I gained a deeper respect for all the people who supplied me flowers from Cibo to Mabolo. I realized that Friday afternoon that there was serious muscle involved in creating the perfect arrangement. It’s a studied art that mixes natural talent and educating oneself in the world of flora.

Nothing, however, levels to the sublime pleasure of an ikebana arrangement. Ikebana is known to be the more intellectual approach to floral arrangement. Its literal translation is “living flowers,” which celebrate life through graceful lines. Hailing from

The surrealistic piece featuring dragonfruit by Connie Gonzalez represents the evolution of life.

ancient Japan, it has been the study of the aristocratic class who carry an appreciation for not only the beauty of the flowers that bloom, but the roots and twigs where they stand from. They don’t only present mastery of arrangement in a deep artistic level but also voices out an idea.

Today’s ikebana pieces vary from glacial wonderlands like that of Huegetsu Inamoto, to more surrealistic pieces that also use cacti such as the display of Connie Gonzalez, to graphic and architectural such as that of Yudina Olga Ludrigovna.

The 11th Asian Regional Conference held at the Shangri-La Hotel main ballroom was nothing short of spectacular. The quiet elegance of ikebana arrangements stood proudly in this very Zen-like venue. Yes, the ballroom was Zenned out.

The Philippines has hosted twice before: The first in 1980 and the second in 1998, proving the prominence of our country in this sophisticated craft.

This year, the theme was “Pagkakaisa” or oneness. It was meant to embody unity of all the virtues through flowers. As mentioned in the event, it is reaching out to the world with one voice: friendship through flowers.

There are a number of schools of ikebana. This year the Ichiyo School’s technique was celebrated, giving us arrangements in

Well-balanced and delicate presentation of Asaike Arragme

contemporary styles that befit modern homes.

Akihiro Kasuya is the headmaster and his background is proof of this modern school of ikebana. Educated in Washington and finishing his studies at the New York School of Interior Design, he has a cosmopolitan style that stands out. He encourages innovative techniques that are more progressive and exciting. The Ichiyo School is all about being simple and direct. Imagination at its most refined state is essential in designing. The atendees span from Russia to China, India, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Germany, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and, of course, the Philippines, which boasts the most number of exhibitors.

The demonstration by Kasuya at the RCBC Auditorium highlighted the three-day party for flowers.

With a modern technique, ikebana just got cooler.