Japanese word of the day: 生け花

What does 生け花 (Ikebana) mean?

生け花 (Ikebana) (noun) — The Japanese art of flower arrangement. More than just putting flowers in a vase, 生け花 is a refined, centuries-old practice that emphasizes harmony, balance, and the natural beauty of each stem and leaf.

Kanji details for 生 and 花

Character: 生 — life, genuine, birth
Radical: life 生

Character: 花 — flower
Radical: grass 艸 (艹)

Example sentences with 生け花 (Ikebana)

• 母は生け花を教えている。
  (Haha wa ikebana o oshiete iru.)
  🌸 My mother teaches flower arranging.

• 私は生け花を習っています。
  (Watashi wa ikebana o naratteimasu.)
  🌿 I am learning ikebana.

   

• 生け花は日本の伝統的な芸術です。
  (Ikebana wa Nihon no dentōteki na geijutsu desu.)
  🎍 Ikebana is a traditional Japanese art.

生け花 (Ikebana) in context

生け花 is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement, alongside the tea ceremony (茶道, sadō) and incense appreciation (香道, kōdō). Its roots go back over a thousand years, evolving from simple offerings of flowers at Buddhist altars to a sophisticated art form practiced in homes, temples, and even on stage.

What sets 生け花 apart from Western flower arranging is its focus on minimalism, asymmetry, and seasonality. Each arrangement is designed to highlight the natural lines and space between flowers, often representing the harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity.