Styles
At the Ikenobo school, one of the schools of Ikebana, we can practice 3 different styles of arrangements; Rikka, Shoka and Jiyuka. Each style has its own characteristic and learning process.
Rikka
Rikka means standing flowers. The oldest style of Ikenobo school. The origins go back to the Buddhist offering of flowers, which were placed upright in vases and are now known as Tatehana. The rikka style shows the beauty and power of the mountain landscape. For example, Pinus (den) symbolizes endurance and eternity, and yellow chrysanthemums symbolize life. Trees can symbolize mountains, while grasses and flowers can suggest water. They are usually quite large (1.5 – 4.5 meters) and their construction requires great technical and artistic skill.
Rikka Shofutai consists mainly of seven or nine yakueda (main parts) that reflect the inner character of each plant. With a complex and varied composition, the natural beauty and dignity of plants is reflected.
Rikka Shimputai was introduced in 1999 by the current Headmaster Sen ‘ei Ikenobo as rikka suitable for contemporary spaces. Because the arrangement has no fixed form, the movement of plants is emphasized in Rikka Shimputai.
Shoka
Shoka is a style that originated in the late Edo period. By using one to three materials, Shoka expresses the living form of plants that are rooted in the soil and grow upwards.
Shoka Shofutai consists of three yakueda (main parts) called shin, soe and tai, compared to three poles or functions (heaven, earth and humanity). Shoka Shofutai can be arranged with one, two or three materials. For this style it is important to understand what Shussho is. Shussho is the characteristic, the form of growth and development of each plant.
Shoka Shimputai was introduced in 1977 by the current Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo as a new style of Shoka that fits contemporary lifestyles. The distinguishing characteristics of Shoka Shimputai are clarity and sharpness.
Jiyuka
Jiyuka also known as free style is more and more used as the new ikebana for decorating with flowers in spaces and situations that differ from the original, often used tokonoma, where originally Rikka and Shoka were shown. Free style is a style without a fixed form, which can literally be freely arranged by observing the shapes and textures of plants.
Source: Ikenobo Zurich Study Group
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