Ikebana can restore peace within us

In March this year I gave myself a gift that, unbeknownst to me, was the starting point for a wonderful journey that I hope to be on for the rest of my life – the gift was an introductory Ikebana class.

There I found out that in Bucharest I can take Ikebana courses, accredited by the Sogetsu School in Japan.

When I was little, my mother’s sister made flower arrangements, which she called „Ikebana”. They fascinated me and somehow the thought of going in this direction accompanied me for years. However, I was discouraged, thinking that I would not be able to find something like this in Romania. But, behold, the miracle happened: we not only have courses in Romania, but also an Ikebana Association.

Mrs. Florentina Vinica Barbu, certified Ikebana teacher in Japan, Sogetsu School, tells us about what Ikebana means, what it offers us for our well-being and even for our mental health, but also about the courses we can follow.

You graduated from the Faculty of Horticulture in Bucharest, but how did you attend the Ikebana courses of the Sogetsu School?

Yes, I graduated from the Faculty of Horticulture, later I did my master’s in Biodiversity Conservation Management, now I’m doing my doctorate.

But I’ve always had this love for flowers, ever since I was very little. I had three books at home about flowers, the amateur gardener’s guide, the flowers in my garden and Ikebana – the art of arranging flowers, the last one, written by Mrs. Laura Sigarteu Petrina. They were part of the Kaleidoscope collection, published by Ceres, published in the 60s and 70s. I was born in 1973, this year I turned half a century old. It seems to me a great achievement, you know, life was not at all simple and easy…

Well, I flipped through these three booklets so much that I knew them by heart, so I started learning the names of plants in Latin, for example. I was making garden plans, like my grandparents had in the country, with fruit trees and my favorite flowers. The flowers especially fascinated me, I remember even now how one day I sat for a long time to admire the iridescence of the golden petals and the pattern like blood vessels, as I had on my arms, of some freesias that my mother had brought. It seemed to me that I was in a fairy tale. I was an introverted child, I preferred to play like that, back then…

From the Ikebana book I learned about this art for the first time.

Later, I was already in high school, after the Revolution, I became friends with a girl who had started practicing Buddhism and was receiving books about Zen or Ikebana from a Zen Association in France. I would translate them, with pen on paper, then send them by mail. At that time there were no computers, no mobile phones.

That’s how I learned about Zen. The first book I translated was True Zen by Taisen Deshimaru.

And so I started to practice ikebana, as a Zen practice, on my own.

In 2018 I joined a group that practiced Ikebana, led by Mrs. Sanda Lazur. That was the beginning of our new Association, because the ladies in the group later became founding members of the Association, but at that time I never imagined what course my life would take on this Path.

In 2019 I saw an announcement on Facebook that Eikou Sumura Sensei, master of the Sogetsu school, will hold a workshop in Bulgaria. I decided to go, that’s how I felt. There, I had two workshops with Sumura Sensei, she impressed me a lot, she is a very special person. It was, I think, a fateful meeting, as they have been in my life lately. I’m probably on the right track…

After the workshop, the master comes to each one and analyzes their creation, that’s what happened now. I told her something about myself, she looked at me carefully and said with a gentle smile: „Please continue”. That’s it. And I continued. I started practicing Ikebana in the Sogetsu school, the first time with Mrs. Miroslava Ivanova, an excellent teacher, with her I did modules 1 and 2, she laid a solid foundation, technically speaking, I am very grateful to her for this. For the lessons, I would go to Sofia by bus, travel at night, arrive in Sofia, do Ikebana as much as humanly possible, then leave on the bus to come home. Two sleepless nights each trip. A very big effort, especially for someone with autoimmune problems like me, for whom fatigue is a factor that must be avoided, as is stress.

After module 2, I started studying with Oksana Shtyk, an Ikebana teacher from Varna. Varna was much closer, the effort more manageable. Oksana became my good friend, she is a special person, with a special soul and sensitivity, I have a more spiritual relationship with her, I feel that she is like a sister. We also did some beautiful projects together in Varna, exhibitions, I hope we can continue this in Bucharest.

With Oksana, I studied up to module 5, but for the teacher’s certificate she recommended Mrs. Olga Yudina, also an extraordinary teacher with a deep knowledge of this art. Lessons with her were a joy, Olga is an encyclopedia in Ikebana.

But the war came and I needed another teacher. Mrs. Nadia El Borai Yamamura, my mentor and my guardian angel on this Path, found me a teacher in Japan, Mrs. Rumiko Matsumura Sensei, embodied Joy. With her, everything is refined, it’s not just about Ikebana anymore, actually. We are now entering the area of Japanese aesthetics, but also of a certain lifestyle, of understanding things. Now it is clear to me:

Ikebana is not just about flowers or plants in general. It’s about who we are as people, about generosity, about the genuine relationship between teacher and disciple. About our whole life, in fact, and how to enjoy it, how to see, find balance and harmony in it, no matter what happens.

I also learn these things from Nadia, who took care of me like a daughter. She is, in fact, the author of our Association, she encouraged me, pushed me from behind, rather, to put it on its feet. It would never have occurred to me that this could be possible. I don’t know what she saw in me, but now we have an Ikebana Association, the first chapter of Ikebana International in all of Eastern Europe. It is here, in Bucharest, and I would very much like it to delight people with beauty for a long time to come and, more than anything, to create bridges between people, to be a center in the first place of friendship. The motto of Ikebana International is „In friendship through flowers”. This motto is wonderful, I wish this beautiful energy was the only one that mattered, in a world that seems to be falling apart from too many conflicts.

What is special about the Sogetsu School?

Sofu Teshigahara, the creator of the Sogetsu school, which actually revolutionized Ikebana, said: „Ikebana can be done by anyone, anytime, anywhere, with any kind of material.” He also created a method, a manual to cover practically the need to learn any style, any theme of Ikebana. Nothing was left to chance, everything could be learned.

On the other hand, in Sogetsu you are given the freedom to create, to innovate, to express your Self, your feelings, even your anxieties. „Flowers become human in Ikebana,” he also said. Flowers, plants actually express us, we can create our own image of the Universe.

How does Ikebana help me in my personal development?

As I said, Ikebana is Kadō, essentially. People can see Ikebana as art, relaxation, maybe even fun, we often see titles like Fun Ikebana, Easy Ikebana, etc. But essentially, at its origin, it is a spiritual Path.

Let’s not forget, in its beginning, Ikebana was conceived as a sacred offering to the Buddha. Buddhism arrived in Japan in the 6^th century from China, where it had arrived from India. The Japanese people, however, combined their love for the beauty of the plant world with their Shinto belief that plants are sacred, making Ikebana a model of a harmonious Universe, where Heaven, Man and Earth are in perfect balance. The ultimate goal is, by creating this inner harmony in Ikebana, to reach Satori, to be in the state of enlightenment. But there really isn’t an end goal, only the journey matters.

In my journey now, starting July 1st, 2022, I am participating in the Ikebana Meditation Program, 千日式花行（Sennichi Souka Gyo), known as the 1000 Ikebana Challenge. This program, currently followed by only a few people worldwide, is led by Shoso Shimbo and Shoan Lo (two Ikebana Sogetsu teachers) and requires the creation of an Ikebana every day for 1000 days. For each Ikebana, I try to write a haiku, meant to freeze in time the fleeting emotion of that day. I don’t succeed every time, I’m behind on the posts, but I do Ikebana, every day. Here you can see my works. It is a unique program in the world, being inspired by Sennichi Kaiho Gyo, the most difficult Zen practice in Japan, started in the Heian period (794 – 1185).

What does Ikebana mean to you and what is your favorite style of arrangement?

Freedom. In many ways, Ikebana means freedom, especially in the Sogetsu school. Freedom of expression, creativity, freedom to connect with others. I am part of some Ikebana groups and it is so nice to see how Ikebanists encourage each other, learn from each other, share their knowledge and impressions, with kindness. Ikebana means friendship, from soul to soul.

In the past, I used to do Ikebana on my own as best I could, without a teacher, reading, translating Ikebana and Zen books. Now, being part of a group and having a teacher, especially a Japanese teacher, understanding occurs on another level. Ikebana is an intellectual exercise, it requires intention, vision and a subtle sense of all the energy vibrating around an arrangement. The soul understands the poetry of life.

In this changing world, we now face many problems, from wars to pollution and environmental destruction. Ikebana can restore peace in us, in our relationships and, most importantly, increase love for nature, understanding the world of plants, valuing them. Ikebanists must be nature lovers by default. Doing Ikebana is a lifestyle, we are no longer separate from the world but understand how to be part of it, this means embracing our fragile journey through life as well. We are like flowers in this passing world, following the same cycle as theirs: we are born, we live, and we wither. The flowers of Ikebana can teach us how to bloom, each in our own way, not competing, but living the best life possible for us, under the clear sky or in the rain, with gratitude.

A 7-year-old child wrote to me after the workshop that „Ikebana is wise.” Ikebana is wise, indeed, like a kind and loving teacher.

The attempt to achieve harmony and balance in Ikebana goes both ways, from the inner beauty of the soul, through the hands, eyes and heart, creating beauty in an arrangement, which returns to us like a wave, flooding our whole being, enriching us once again, in an infinite circular energy.

Ikebana is indeed Kadō, by experiencing it we can gain the light of the spirit.

My favorite arrangement?

It’s the miniature, I think. Miniature and minimalist style. Miniature means arrangements in pots small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. In Sogetsu there must be a minimum of 5 and a relationship must be created between them, they must be „friended”. It was the favorite arrangement of Mrs. Kasumi Teshigahara, the daughter of Sofu Teshigahara, the founder of the Sogetsu school. She was the second Iemoto of the school, less known than her father or her brother Hiroshi, she also lived a little. But it was of great beauty, delicacy and elegance, and the miniature had become her signature arrangement.

I love that we can create beauty with very few resources, but in a child’s imagination it could be something wonderful. It’s like creating an arrangement in the story world. I was an educator, I told a lot of stories… I got used to looking at the world of small beings with the eyes of Hans Christian Andersen.

Could we see Ikebana as therapy?

Yes. There are studies in this sense, there are beneficial effects even in terms of serious autoimmune diseases, not just on a psychological level. For my course Hana kokoro 花こころ (Flower Heart), I wrote that it is designed as „a space where people are invited to slow down, in harmony with nature, to feel their souls enveloped in peace, joy and love, to notice, even for a moment, the colors, the fragrance, the veins of the leaves, the tenderness of the petals. It is a gentle, meditative path, in which we learn to associate the plants, to look at them carefully, but also to look at ourselves, in the relationship with them, with patience, with compassion, with acceptance. The time spent like this gives us the peace necessary to reflect on the multitude of gifts that Nature offers us with love, in her infinite generosity”. That’s how I feel things happen.

In fact, after the course, many times the students came to say that they feel better, their headache has passed, that they are happier, lighter, etc. It is a great joy for me, please let me know when you feel it, it makes me happy…

Romania is now officially part of the Ikebana world and is the first and only Ikebana International center in Eastern Europe. Tell us about how you founded the Ikebana Association and what it means for our country.

As I said, the driving force was Mrs. Nadia El Borai, who was the president of Ikebana International. She was the first to have this vision and effectively put me on track to accomplish this goal.

I thought that the only place that would be suitable for this association could only be the Faculty of Horticulture. I have loved that place since I saw it, the people there are beautiful, they are… different. For me, the Faculty of Horticulture means Home. So I went there to discuss it, and they welcomed us with open arms, with joy, I thank them all from the bottom of my heart, and Mr. Dean Adrian Asănică, and especially Mr. Vice-Rector Florin Stănică, they supported us a lot a lot. Together with vice-dean Mrs. Sorina Petra and Mrs. Sanda Lazur, we founded the Association. The bureaucracy took a long time, then I started correspondence on the Japanese side with Ikebana International, who were very helpful and very prompt. Since September this year, we are Ikebana International Bucharest, chapter  no. 269, we currently have 20 members. It’s a big achievement, you know. I got a lot of help, both here and in Japan. I am very grateful to everyone who helped us, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

What does it mean for our country? I think it means a lot. Now we just officially exist on the worldwide Ikebana map, we are „seen”. This comes along with a very big responsibility that we take on. Ikebana International is a worldwide organization, the oldest Ikebana organization in the world. It was founded in 1956, with the first and most important schools being Ikenobo, Ohara and Sogetsu. It has branches called chapters all over the world, the honorary president is a member of the imperial family, Princess Takamado.

And we are now part of this world.
This is our Association page: www.facebook.com/IkebanaInternationalBucharest.

Also, the fact that there are now classes here taught by certified teachers in Japan means a lot again. It is not enough in this world to say „I do Ikebana”. For them, the relationship between teacher and disciple is very important, the stream through which you are educated is also very important, as in any traditional Japanese arts. The teacher matters a lot in Japan, who transmits knowledge to us is of particular importance, the teacher guarantees what he or she builds in us. Do you remember the story of the good sensei and the bad sensei from Karate Kid? It seems far from Ikebana, but sometimes it comes very close…

How do the Ikebana classes you offer in Bucharest go?

We have classes at the dojo, Floribana Dojo, or at the Faculty of Horticulture. I am currently in Horticulture on Tuesday, dojo on Wednesday and Thursday, Horticulture again on Sunday. For more information, I would ask you to enter the Floribana Dojo page, or the Ikebana Friends Romania group, there I post information related to courses or workshops, or the best way is to write to me directly at flori_barbu@yahoo.com or tel. 0742857165.

Can only women be interested in Ikebana classes or men too?

The course is for anyone, women or men…

Initially, Ikebana was practiced by men, let’s not forget, first by monks, then by aristocrats, samurai, by ordinary people…. It would be wonderful to have a community of male Kadōka in Romania, I warmly invite them to the dojo.

Are there or will there be classes for children?

Yes, I plan to have classes with children as well, they are the ones I like to work with the most, actually. I was a teacher for a long time and I miss being around children again.

A final thought and an invitation to future learners.

A final thought…

Every day is a new beginning, we can even start from scratch, as long as we open our eyes again. The path we seek ultimately leads to ourselves, so let’s make the destination a beautiful and welcoming place.

I met a Japanese monk. After the workshop with him, I went to thank him, but all I could say was Arigato. He thought I knew Japanese and happily started telling me lots of words. I told him I’m sorry, but I don’t understand… He sat for a while, thought and said to me in English: Are you happy? I said yes. He was very happy.

Being happy is all that matters. Cherish the beautiful and happy moments, life is a gift that we must receive with joy, be grateful for light, for darkness, for clouds, for flowers, trees, friends, love or everything that is beautiful in this world, as much as It is.

This is my invitation to you, please accept it. Thank you.

Foto credit & Ikebana flower arrangements: Florentina Vinica Barbu