This week for my lesson, I did a Landscape Moribana arrangement depicting early summer near the bank of a pond.
In Landscape Moribana, the arranger expresses the natural scenic beauty of the materials being used. Having an understanding of the natural growth characteristics of the plants, the environment, and the seasonal aspects of the materials is important when creating a landscape arrangement. The feelings and the creativity of the arranger are also part of the work.
In the front of the container, Spiraea thunbergii stretches out over the edge of the container creating the ground near the water’s edge. The bulrush rises up tall in the arrangement, leaning slightly forward, helping to bring the viewer into the arrangement. The bulrush is found naturally at the waters edge along the bank, so it is placed behind the Spiraea. In the back of the container, calla lily that has just begun to bloom peeks out from the white speckled leaves of the plant. The leaves of the calla lily stretch out over the surface of the water, helping to create the illusion of the flowers growing up out of a pond.
Within the small confines of the container, three different spaces have been created — the ground, the bank, and the water. The large surface of the water helps to give the arrangement a cool and refreshing feeling, perfect for the hot days of summer.
Spiraea thunbergii, bulrush, calla lily
I'll leave you with a haiku by the famous poet, Matsuo Basho, which I think is perfect for this arrangement.
古池や
蛙飛び込む
水の音
furu ike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto
an old pond
a frog leaps
the sound of the water
furu ike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto
an old pond
a frog leaps
the sound of the water
