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The Zen-Images Ikebana Gallery

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The Way of Flowers

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, originated during the 6th century in Japan with the introduction of Buddhism from China. It was the custom to place floral offerings in front of altars to honor the Buddha and the souls of the dead. Over time, these floral offerings evolved into floral arrangements designed to express the harmony between man and nature and between spirit and matter. By the 13th century, the practice of Ikebana became a form of meditation for Zen Buddhist priests. In 1929, a radical new approach to Ikebana was launched by Sofu Teshigahara, the late founder of the Sogetsu School. Teshigahara broke with rigid classical rules and emphasized the artist's freedom of expression.

Ikebana is not just about sticking a flower into a vase: it is about the love and need of the artist to create beautiful forms....You take parts of many flowers which appeal to you and arrange them into one integrated work. Depending on the way the various parts flow together, the result is an ever-changing floral kaleidoscope. Ikebana is not just about flowers, it is about the person who arranges them. from Kadensho by Sofu Teshigahara

Baiko's Ikebana Art

One artist's voyage

Baiko is the Japanese name of artist Astrid Stadt, Ikebana master (Sensei) of the Sogetsu School of Japan. Baiko means plum blossom, a very revered flower in Japan. It symbolizes resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity because its blossoms survive the cold of winter. Astrid received the name Baiko when the Sogetsu School awarded her the title Sensei. All prints of her Ikebana creations are stamped with her Baiko seal.

Ikebana can be done anywhere by anyone. There are no national or ethnic boundaries. Like flowing waters or drifting clouds, Ikebana spreads throughout the world. Sofu Teshigahara

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The Embrace

Ikebana is born from the encounter of nature and humans; it is the coming together of nature and human life....
Theories of art are always developed after the art work itself. You can create theory from an art work but not art work from a theory. Theories can be easily overturned by one clever person, but art always retains its mysteries.
Especially is this the case with Ikebana, which uses natural materials to provide endless encounters with unfathomable mysteries. Sofu Teshigahara


You can see more of Baiko's Ikebana art by visiting our website: Zen-Images.
To learn more about Sogetsu Ikebana and what's behind Baiko's creations, check out our blog: The Zen-Images Ikebana Blog.
You can purchase fine art giclee prints of Baiko's creations at the Zen-Images Galleries at Imagekind

Ikebana-079

Mullberry Man

In general, the Japanese arts are based on the simplicity of expression. Complexity usually indicates immaturity or decadence. In the Japanese arts, I am always reminded how one must experience an economic, singular expression. Simplicity is never a simple task. Sofu Teshigahara


You can see more of Baiko's Ikebana art by visiting our website: Zen-Images.
To learn more about Sogetsu Ikebana and what's behind Baiko's creations, check out our blog: The Zen-Images Ikebana Blog.
You can purchase fine art giclee prints of Baiko's creations at the Zen-Images Galleries at Imagekind

Ikebana-093

Modern Ikebana, Sogetsu Ikebana, knows no boundaries. The artist is not limited to just using flowers, branches and rocks. All materials and objects are used, whatever the Ikebana artist needs to realize self-expression. Baiko

To see more of Baiko's work please visit her galleries at Zen-Images
For more information about Baiko and Sogetsu Ikebana visit our blog at Zen-Images Ikebana Blog
You can purchase fine art giclee prints of Baiko's creations at the Zen-Images Galleries at Imagekind

Reviews of Baiko's Ikebana Art

Baiko has been chosen several times as a Featured Artist by Imagekind, one of the internet's leading artist member printing companies. She received the Spanish Arte y Pico Award. And she has been selected Featured Artist of the Week by the popular art blog, Empty Easel.

Here is what Empty Easel wrote about Baiko's Ikebana Art:

"...her creations are like organic sculptures, made up of living flowers, stems, and branches to form free-flowing works of three-dimensional art."

I'd honestly never seen anything like this before....and I was amazed at how artistic flower arrangements could be."

In Baiko's art there is "...a beautiful balance of positive and negative space, while creating focal points with colors....I love the calm simplicity of Baiko's work.."

You can read the full review here.

Ikebana Slide Show

A collection of Flower Prints

curated content from Flickr

Baiko on RedBubble

Ikebana Cards

Take a look at Baiko's
RedBubble Gallery for her Ikebana Art that has been specially formatted for cards. The printing quality is excellent and cards are a less expensive way to send gifts of Baiko's elegant works.

The Zen-Images Ikebana Blog

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Baiko

Baiko is the Japanese name of artist Astrid Stadt, Ikebana master (Sensei) of the Sogetsu School of Japan. Baiko means plum blossom, a highly revered flower... more »

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