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The Japanese flower arrangement art exhibition "East Wind" will take place from March 6-8 at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum (Hanoi), organized by Yohaku with professional sponsorship from the Ikenobo Vietnam Tachibanakai Study Group. The event showcases many Ikebana works, offering the public an opportunity to appreciate the subtle beauty and philosophy of traditional Japanese flower arrangement art.
The philosophy of flower arrangement
Ikebana, also known as kado, is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement that has existed for over 600 years. Initially, flower arranging originated from the ritual of offering flowers to Buddhist altars in temples, and later developed into an independent art form from the 15th century onwards.
An Ikebana layout uses seasonal branches and flowers, demonstrating a balance between lines and space.
"The Sound of Silence" - a work by Khoai Mat created from bellflowers, violets, and red honeysuckle berries. It is also the title of the book Yohaku, launched as part of the exhibition.
Unlike Western flower arranging styles that often emphasize vibrancy and quantity, Ikebana values lines, structure, and space. A vase may sometimes contain only a few branches and a single flower, but they are arranged in a harmonious composition to express the balance between heaven, earth, and humanity. In this structure, the upward-reaching branches represent the sky, the intermediate branches represent the earth, and the lower parts symbolize humanity. This balance between the three elements creates a stable composition for the artwork.
In the creative process, the artist often preserves the natural shape of the materials. Dry branches, young leaves, or blooming flowers are all selected according to the season. Instead of creating fullness, the practitioner seeks to highlight the inherent beauty of the plants. This minimalism brings the art of flower arrangement closer to the spirit of meditation: the flower arranger must concentrate, feel the rhythm of nature, and convey emotions through the shapes of the branches and leaves.
"East Wind" - a story about the rebirth of nature.
This event is organized by Yohaku with the professional sponsorship of the Ikenobo Ikebana community in Vietnam. The group, founded in 2021 by artist Le Pham Viet Ha (Abe Hanna), aims to create a systematic learning and practice environment for flower arrangement.
The exhibition's theme is inspired by the east wind carrying the breath of spring. This imagery evokes new beginnings and the regenerative capacity of nature after upheavals, including Typhoon Yagi in 2024. Many works utilize familiar materials of the tropical climate such as peach blossoms, green leaves, or dried tree trunks. These seemingly simple elements are arranged into clear compositions, suggesting the cyclical growth of plants.
The exhibition space is designed in a minimalist style, highlighting the beauty of each artwork.
The event attracted a large number of art lovers who came to visit and take photos.
Some of the artworks draw inspiration from Hanoi's landscapes and cultural symbols. The piece "Spring Bridge" uses red as a focal point, evoking the image of The Huc Bridge with its floral structure reaching upwards like a curved bridge span. Through this arrangement, familiar images of the city are conveyed through the art of floral arrangement.
Le Thi Hong Minh's artwork "Spring Bridge" is inspired by The Huc Bridge, using vermilion red as a highlight, symbolizing life and happiness.
Floral arrangement emphasizes the balance between the lines of the flower branches and the empty space in the display area.
Speaking at the exhibition, Ms. Oshima Akiko, a teacher of flower arrangement and tea ceremony, said: “Tea ceremony and flower arrangement are important traditional values, closely linked to the language, culture, and long-standing customs of Japan.” She expressed her emotion at seeing many Vietnamese people have a special love for Japanese culture and are persistently learning and practicing this art.
Japanese flower arrangement emphasizes lines and open space. A tall branch and a few seasonal flowers can create a harmonious composition, evoking a sense of tranquility and contemplation. This balance fosters a sense of reflection rather than ostentatious display of color.
Through its simple compositions, the "East Wind" exhibition offers the public a chance to appreciate the philosophy of Ikebana art – emphasizing restraint, balance, and the connection between humans and nature.
