When we first got this brief, I had no idea what an ikebana was. I’m happy to say that is no longer the case – in fact, I’d say I’ve gotten a pretty good idea what an ikebana is, because of the research I’ve done on three main types – summarized below for your reading pleasure ٩(◕‿◕｡)۶

Types of Ikebana

1) Moribana

Characteristics of vase

• Shallow
• Wide mouthed

Features

• Broad expanse of natural-looking shapes
• Exudes a feeling of stability and gravity

Specifics

• Three Yakueda (stems), called Shin (primary stem), Soe (secondary stem) and Tai (ornamental stem)
• Shin is about as long as the diameter and depth of the container combined
• Soe is around two-thirds of the Shin
• Tai about half the length of the Shin

There are three sub-styles of Moribana, determined by the angle of the Shin:

Chokutai (upright)	Shatai (slanting)	Suitai (cascading)

2) Rikka

Characteristics of vase

• Cylindrical
• Often tall
• Has a narrow mouth

Specifics

• Also composed of three main branches, Shin, Soe and Tai
• Shin’s height is usually one and a half of the height of the vase plus the width of the vase
• Soe’s height is about two-thirds to three-quarters of the Shin
• Tai’s height is about one-third to half of the height of the Shin

 

3) Shoka

Characteristics of vase

• More than just a container – it represents the source of life
• Vase will generally be symmetrical and open at the top

Specifics

• Expresses the feeling of life, growing energy and the natural beauty of the materials
• Distinguishing characteristics are brightness and sharpness
• Shin is two to three times the height of the vase
• Soe is about two-thirds the height of the Shin
• Tai is about one-third the height of Shin

 

 

2D Sketch Models and Analysis

Initial Sketches

I sketched out some ideas where the cylindrical form, spherical form and conical form were the dominants, and how they changed the feel of the sculpture. I decided to focus more on the conical and cylindrical forms as dominants as I felt they added a strong axis to the composition, compared to a sphere which is pretty static to me, and also for which the principal axis could be unclear.

 

 

 

Sketch Model 1 – First version

I immediately realized the problem with this model – the subdominant cone’s axis was perpendicular to the horizontal ground. I hence revised this model to the actual first sketch model I will be analyzing below.

Sketch Model 1 – Revised version

I had to use a masking tape roll solely so that the subdominant cone could lift off the ground – it will hence not be drawn in the 2D sketch analysis as I will find a way to get the cone to lift off the ground in the actual final model.

Sketch model 2

 

I really liked the idea of having a hollow cylindrical form as I like the “double void” it creates at the bottom of the composition. I thought of some ways to improve this, such as wedging the SO into the D so as to incorporate what we had learned in our first lesson.

Specifics of Moribana and Rikka Ikebana that were used in making sketch models respectively:

Link to 2D Sketch Analysis: Gaia 2D Sketch Analysis