A Step-by-Step Guide for Ikebana Beginners Part 1

Japanese vases at MUSUBI KILN possess an undeniable charm, with their elegance, refined craftsmanship, and rich cultural significance. Yet finding the right flowers to complement them—and arranging them in a way that truly enhances their beauty—can sometimes be surprisingly challenging. We often incorporate seasonal flowers into our table settings and photo shoots, but there are moments when we pause and wonder: Are these flowers truly doing justice to the vase?

To bridge this gap between intention and execution, we decided to learn from a master. We had the privilege of studying under an ikebana sensei from the Ohara School of Ikebana, a renowned school of Japanese floral arrangement. We discovered not only techniques for decorating with flowers in Japanese vases but also the philosophy and balance behind each thoughtful placement.

In this three-part blog series, we’ll take you through the foundational principles of ikebana, share key techniques, and give you an inside look at our first attempt at creating an arrangement that celebrates both the vase and the flowers.

Join us as we step into a world of mindfulness, creativity, and seasonal harmony—one stem at a time.

Matsuki sensei is a very skilled and experienced instructor from the Ohara School of Ikebana, one of the three major schools of ikebana. She had previously taught ikebana to international students and was well-acquainted with the differences between Western-style floral arrangements and the unique approach of ikebana.

The Ohara School originated in the late 19th century when Ohara Unshin introduced a new style of flower arrangement, paving the way for modern ikebana. He is credited with creating the iconic moribana style, where flowers are arranged in a shallow, wide vessel using a kenzan—a metal flower frog.

Matsuki sensei first gave us a brief introduction to the history of ikebana.

The origins of ikebana date back to around the mid-6th century when flowers were offered as part of Buddhist practices. Initially enjoyed mainly by nobles and samurai families, ikebana became more accessible during the Edo period (1603–1867 CE), when commoners also began using it to decorate their homes.

In the 20th century, following the establishment of the Ohara School of Ikebana, the art form continued to evolve. While adapting to changing times and cultural shifts, it remained deeply rooted in its fundamental principles.

Next, we learned about some fundamental pointers regarding the mindset needed to create beautiful flower arrangements.

Ikebana lies in the idea of "returning to nature." The basic approach is to arrange flowers in a way you may see wildflowers growing in its natural environment.

Observing the natural world around you can inspire unique and artistic arrangements.

Being decisive about which materials to use and how to place them is key as it is difficult to remove the flowers once they are placed in a vase.

Using your imagination to visualize the finished arrangement can help you bring your ideas to life. Let your creativity blossom!

Ikebana isn’t an art that can be mastered overnight. It requires patience and experience to understand which flowers and compositions work well with different types of vases and under varying conditions. The key is to keep experimenting with diverse materials and arrangements.

Here are the basic materials and tools you’ll need to begin your ikebana journey.

Matsuki sensei explained that, for beginners at the Ohara School, the starting point is usually a flat, basin-like flower vessel paired with a kenzan. However, for our lesson, we requested Matsuki sensei to guide us in arranging flowers using three different types of vases from our store.

*When using a tall vase, a kenzan isn’t necessary.

To create a well-balanced arrangement, it’s important to have a mix of flowers, branches, and foliage ready. Matsuki sensei selected a variety of stunning seasonal flowers, branches, and greenery. Highlighting the charm of the current season is, after all, a key aspect of ikebana.

Keep your flowers and branches in a deep bucket while you work on your arrangement. This will help keep them fresh and make them easier to handle throughout the process.

Matsuki sensei prepared specialized metal floral scissors to cut the flowers and thick branches. The uniquely designed handles of these scissors are a signature feature of the Ohara School.

There are two main types of ikebana scissors: warabite (single-loop handles) and tsurute (double-loop handles). In the Ohara School, warabite scissors are most commonly used. They are named "warabite" because the lower part of the handle resembles the budding sprout of a warabi (bracken fern).

Also, keep a dry towel nearby to wipe your hands, scissors, and tabletop. Maintaining a clean and organized workspace is essential for a smooth and enjoyable ikebana experience.

Prepare a wide-rimmed bowl for cutting the ends of materials while they are submerged in water. 

Matsuki sensei explained that the composition of an ikebana arrangement differs from Western-style floral arrangements. She emphasized that understanding the proper techniques is key to achieving a harmonious and visually pleasing design.

An ikebana arrangement always has a front side, unlike Western-style floral arrangements. While there is a central focus, the overall composition should not be symmetrical. The shape of the arrangement will also vary slightly depending on the vase you use.

As a general guideline:

For a vase with a kenzan, the height of the tallest or longest element should be approximately 1.5 to 2 times the width of the vase.

For a standard vase, the height of the tallest or longest element should be about 1.5 to 2 times the height of the vase.

When cutting the ends of flowers and branches, cut them on an angle and always cut them in water. This will help the flowers to stay fresh longer. There is no need to place them in water when snipping off small twigs and leaves.

When using a kenzan, hold the flower or branch by its end and gently insert into the needle of the kenzan.

Inserting long branches and flowers at an angle into a deep vase requires a special technique—one that was arguably the most fascinating (and challenging) method we learned.

Since you can’t simply set a flower or branch at an angle in a vase, you’ll need to bend the stem or branch so it rests firmly against the inner wall of the vase. This allows it to protrude at the desired angle from the vase’s opening.

For a detailed explanation, be sure to check Part 3 of this blog.

Seeing everyone slightly overwhelmed by the abundance of information, Matsuki sensei kindly smiled and said, "Why don't we just give it a try?"

Join us in Part 2 of this blog to see how our arrangements turned out and to read about the insights we gained from this wonderful—and at times challenging—experience with ikebana.