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Holiday Cinema 1: The Art and Meaning of Ikebana (1973)

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Christmas and New Year is a time for festivities, but also for slowing down. I thought it would be fun to invite you to my Holiday Cinema and show some rare and interesting ikebana related videos. Relax, sit down in your favorite chair with a nice cup of tea and put your feet up!


First out is The Art and Meaning of Ikebana, a 27-minute film made in 1973 by Sakura Motion Picture and presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. This video looks at ikebana practice and relates it to to other aspects of Japanese culture. It shows beautiful interiors and also gives a nice background to ikebana:
"The history of ikebana has its origins in ancient times when people expressed their faith in flowers. Even today a branch of the sakaki tree, an evergreen, is offered to the shrine. The ancient Japanese believed that a devine spirit was present in all growing trees and plants. ... It was in the early years of the 6th century that Buddhism was introduced to Japan. People began to make floral offerings to Buddha. This was the begining of ikebana, in which the peoples antient faith in flowers was combined with the Buddhist idea of Paradise."
Towards the end you'll see Sofu Teshighara working on a large scale arrangement with driftwood and pine, and finally his daughter Kasumi Teshigahara arranging white Camelias, I think location is the old Sogetsu Kaikan from 1958. Enjoy!


This video was uploaded to YouTube at the Art of East and West channel.


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