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finding the right containers

It is important that your choice of container suits the kind of floral arrangement you want to create. Think about the texture, volume and size of the arrangement, depending on the season you are in, as well as its placement, and the situation and occasion, whether festive or everyday.

Some containers automatically go well with a particular season. Here are a few examples.

In the warm spring sunlight, pastel colors or bright colored containers bring cheer to interiors.

In the summer, glass vases, baskets and metallic or shiny-surfaced containers look cool and soothing.

Ceramics or pottery and thick woven baskets provide an arrangement with a warm earthy feeling in the autumn.

Formal porcelain china may be used for some holiday celebrations, such as Christmas and New Year in winter.

Above are only some examples of moods that can be set by the choice of containers. Of course, glass containers can be used in all seasons, depending on the content or atmosphere of the arrangement. Hand-made ceramic containers, both classic and modern designs, can be used all year. Although some traditional ikebana schools have a set rule that a basket can only be used for a summer arrangement, such a convention need not apply in creating modern ikebana.

In making an arrangement, it is essential to pay attention to the color, the shape and the structure of the flowers and branches you are using. At the same time, it is also fun to consider the size, color, shape, style and texture of the containers for coordination with selected floral material. See “Harmony of Elements” on page 27.

When selecting combinations, the pairing of decorative containers and simple flowers should generally be harmonious. Sometimes, however, a clashing of the characteristics of the containers and flowers may generate unexpectedly exciting results.

Although flowers and a container may be perfectly matched and well coordinated in an arrangement, this does not automatically spell success. The relationship with the entire space or, more precisely, the reason for the existence of an arrangement in a particular place, should also be considered.

In order to express the thought you put into an arrangement more effectively, you should consider the place where the arrangement will be positioned and how it will be observed. The best position may not necessarily be the center of the table but, instead, at the end or edge of the table. In some cases, the best position does not have to be on the table at all but, rather, on the floor, or even hung on the wall. Depending on the circumstances, it might be best to view the arrangement from a high or low angle, or slightly from the side. Thus, it is very important to decide the height of an arrangement in relation to the viewers. Harmony between the arrangement and the space itself is the key. Once the coordination of the arrangement to the space is established, it may be necessary to make more adjustments to ensure the arrangement will be seen from the best angle. An interesting technique to change the angle of an arrangement on a flat surface is to place a small stone or wood chip under the edge of the container to intentionally tilt it. Such subtle tilting of the container can create movement or fortify the direction and add accent.

Various containers

Ceramic containers

As mentioned above, containers hung on the wall are interesting devices. Besides standard hanging containers, some types of vessels, such as bottles, tubes and pipes, or even ordinary vases can be hooked onto a wall. Containers affixed to the wall allow for unusual height and angle and have a dynamic and dramatic effect.

Vases for a single flower are useful for making quick and easy arrangements to decorate your room. When you pick a small flower in your yard or in a field, you can bring a sense of nature into your living space by quickly arranging without any planning. Flowers have the power to enrich our senses and provide comfort when we pause to look at them in our hectic lives. Try collecting various shapes of single-flower vases for adding a simple touch of nature to any space without a lot of fuss. Even a small flower matched with a suitable container gives a very positive impact to a space. The size does not matter; the coordination of the right elements is what counts.

ASSORTED CONTAINERS

There are many types of ikebana containers available in different shapes, colors, sizes and textures, but the most practical is a round, square or triangular wide-mouthed cylinder about 30–40 cm (12–15 in) high.

For beginners, it is a good idea to have a basic cylinder-type vase, since it is useful for practicing the stabilizing techniques described earlier, such as a horizontal support. In some cases, vases with smaller openings are easy to use for arranging because a complicated stabilizing technique is not required.

1 CERAMIC CONTAINERS A ceramic container is frequently used for ikebana because it has the texture associated with the earth, necessary for most flowers to grow. It also has a warm feeling even if the design is modern. A ceramic container goes well with a naturalistic arrangement.

2 GLASS VASES The most obvious characteristic of a clear glass vase is its transparency. Because of this, the flowers and the container are united and the whole shape of the arrangement is visible. Glass containers glimmer in the light. A pure, clear and cool sensation is unique to glass and is quite different from the feeling of earthenware.

As water can be seen through even translucent glass, an arrangement includes the form of the water as well. For that reason, the amount of water and the maintenance of it are also important.

The clarity of glassware creates a refreshing mood of its own not only for summer but for any season, in either traditional or modern styles. Deliberately exposing the water in an arrangement as a distinct component is an artistic choice, and therefore special attention should be paid to the cut ends of the stems visible in the vase.

Glass vases

3 METALLIC CONTAINERS Containers made of metal, such as iron, pewter or copper, have hard surfaces and thus impart a cool feeling. The cold nature of metallic containers makes them suitable for summer arrangements. The dull luster of pewter also fits nicely with winter arrangements. Gleaming metallic containers are often used for arrangements at festivities. The sheen and texture of metal contrasts with flowers and other organic materials and this can give additional impact to an arrangement.

In Japan, there is an extensive tradition of metal craft, and metallic containers have long been used for ikebana. Copper containers, in particular, are regarded as being noble and are used for classical rikka arrangements even today.

Metallic containers are relatively easy to use because their heavy weight can support big arrangements. Very firm stabilizing techniques such as a horizontal or cross support that cannot be applied to fragile containers may be used in metal containers because of their durability.

4 REPURPOSED VESSELS—MITATE In Japan, there is a concept known as mitate, of discovering another value and finding a new appreciation for objects of daily use, such as dishes and tools. In ikebana, the notion is that old or common things can be seen with new eyes and therefore everyday objects can be used as alternative containers. This is a concept borrowed from the Japanese tea ceremony of not relying on stereotypical ideas but seeking your own sense of beauty for yourself. It may be an interesting adventure for you to explore the objects around you and create an original arrangement with the treasures you find.

5 WOVEN BASKETS Baskets and trays match well with floral materials because both are made of plants. Arrangements in woven containers create a warm and generous impression. A shallow basket complements wild flowers picked in your garden or a meadow. Be sure the separate inner container for water is stable in the basket.

Metallic containers

Woven bamboo baskets

Repurposed vessels

WHERE TO BUY CONTAINERS Often expensive pottery and antique vessels are used in ikebana. However, you can find good and useful yet inexpensive containers at retail shops specializing in home accessories or interior goods. You may also use receptacles for daily use or other mass-produced items and devices as containers. Western-style vases are often used in Japanese ikebana.