It's all about light, texture, color, shape and balance! Filled with inspiring images of unconventional flower arrangements, this new book by Japanese Ikebana master Yuji Ueno shows you how to use light and position as well as color, shape and texture--of both flowers and vessel--to make inexpensive floral arrangements that convey a Zen sense of simplicity, calm and balance. Ueno's arrangements are informal, but authentic and true to the original wabi-sabi spirit of Ikebana practiced by Zen Buddhist masters of the art. In this book you'll receive: Tips on how to select flowers and foliage, choose a vessel to harmonize with the available light in and design of your spaces, and more Inspiration to utilize the beauty of a flower's many stages, the imperfections of leaves and branches, and the design potential in old and unusual vases A sense of connectedness to the seasons of the year and how to translate that into seasonal arrangements using found and foraged foliage An appreciation for simple and imperfect components and a slow, mindful approach to arranging your flowers Ueno's unique approach makes it clear that you don't need special training, expensive equipment or store-bought flowers to create beautiful arrangements. All you need is an open mind, a sense of awareness--and a good set of clippers--to create Ikebana that are truly unique, expressive and uplifting. The Zen art of flower arranging is now accessible to everyone!

The true meaning of Ikebana--the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement--is the ability to take a few beautiful flowers and plans and tastefully present them in very simple containers to decorate your home. Whether for Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, or a special birthday or anniversary--"Japanese Ikebana for Every Season" simplifies and demystifies this ancient art by presenting 53 elegantly simple arrangements that anyone can create at anytime at home.
The key to good Ikebana arrangements is to understand a few very simple principles--like the idea of "mitate"--seeing old things with new eyes, as well as learning a few very easy techniques of flower stabilization and how to support plants and flowers inside a vase or container. Using simple, common flowers and plants from your garden, from a nearby field or forest, or from your local florist--you can easily create these lovely Ikebana in just a few minutes if you know how.
Authors Rie Imai and Yuji Ueno explain how to select the flowers and the containers by simply using things that are already around you--and then they show you how to turn them into something special. The basic instructions in the book cover a wide range of styles that encourage readers to use their own creativity rather than copying traditional and highly technical Ikebana design concepts.
No matter what time of year it is and regardless of your taste or budget--the arrangements in this book will lend a touch of Japanese elegance to your home