Moribana

''Moribana'' (盛り花, 盛花) is one of the expressions of Japanese flower arrangement ''Ikebana''. The word ''Moribana'' means "full bloom flowers".

History

This style was introduced by Ohara Unshin around 1890 after the Meiji Restoration of 1868. ''Moribana'' is not only an expression of Ohara’s creative departure from '' Ikenobo'', but was also a strong sign of the Western influence in Japan. The arranged flowers may be placed in Western-style rooms and entranceways, not just in the ''tokonoma'' alcove found in traditional Japanese-style rooms. While distinctly a hallmark of the Ohara school, ''moribana'' has become one of the standard forms learned and created by ''Ikebana'' practitioners regardless of school or style affiliation.

''Moribana'' is often associated with '' nageire'', and although the two styles share similarities, their historic development is different, ''nageire'' being older.

Description

''Moribana'' uses one or more clusters of arrangements in ''kenzan'', a holder with many sharp points into which flowers are inserted, or '' shippo'' that has holes, to replicate how water plants grow and how creatures move around in natural ponds. The main feature of ''moribana'' is the broad expanse of natural-looking shapes and a mound of beautiful flowers. Choice of materials and how much water shows in front, side, or back reflects the passing of the season. For example, more water is placed to the front during Spring and Summer.

A proper ''moribana'' design uses a flat, shallow container, sometimes referred to as ''suiban'', which allows for the spreading of floral and line materials sideways and away from the earlier classic vertical lines of the ''rikka'', '' seika'' and even '' nageirebana''.

Styles

There are different styles of ''moribana'' depending on the length and angle of the primary, secondary, and ornamental stems.

* The upright form is the most common; it exudes a feeling of stability and gravity. In this form, the primary stem is about as long as the diameter and depth of the container combined, with the secondary stem being around two-thirds and the ornamental stem about half the length of the primary branch. In the ''Ikenobō'' school the upright form is called .

The primary stem is placed vertically, while the secondary stem is tilted 45 degrees and scattered over a 30-degree area to the front and left. The ornamental stem is tilted 60 degrees and placed across a 45-degree area to the front and right. Seen from above, the three stems form a right triangle. Flowers are placed inside this triangle to fill out the shape.

* Slanting form is a reversed arranging form that can be used depending on the placement of the display or shapes of the branches. Branches that look beautiful when slanted are mostly chosen for this arrangement. This form gives a softer impression than the upright form . In the ''Ikenobō'' school the slanting form is called .
* Cascading or hanging form. In the ''Ikenobō'' school the cascading or hanging form is called . In the Ohara school it is called Water-reflecting style.

Small pebbles may be used to cover the bottom of the container and create a more natural look of the arrangement.

Images

File:Ikebana mt.jpg, A ''kadōka'' creating an arrangement in a flat vessel
File:Saga Goryu moribana kōseitai (hidarigatte).jpeg, ''Moribana kōseitai (hidarigatte)'' of the ''Saga Goryū''
File:Moribana chokutai.jpg, ''Moribana chokutai'' (upright style)
File:Slanting Moribana.JPG, ''Moribana shatai'' (slanted style)

References

External links

{{commons category-inline
* http://www.britannica.com/art/moribana

Ikebana