Japanese Culture Celebrated at the Garden

On February 14th through February 16th, the Annual Ikebana Exhibit celebrated “For the Love of Flowers,” at the Naples Botanical Garden. Friendship through Flowers is the motto of the Naples Chapter of Ikebana International and it is one of the larger chapters in the United States with about 80 members. Each year their annual exhibit features designs in the schools of Ikenobo, Sogetsu, SenshoIkenobo, and Ohara. 

The Botanical Garden’s Kapnick Hall hosted over 100 Ikebana floral arrangements and from the novice to the advanced practitioner, Ikebana is a special form of art. There is a level of creativity, discipline, and sophistication that goes beyond the floral display. Each arrangement has a story to tell from the type of flower used, the space between the leaves and the arch of the branch-  there is even a big significance in the vases used.   

Exhibitor Loris Dallal is an instructor, a master of Ikebana, and a member of the Naples Chapter of Ikebana International. She has been a student of Ikebana for the last 40 years; her interest started in the early 1970s. She has traveled and lectured in many places worldwide teaching the principles and philosophy that define Sogetsu Ikebana. Sogetsu embraces innovation, encouraging creative interpretations and experimentation. 

Marsha Norberg, an exhibitor and member of the Naples Chapter of Ikebana International has been practicing Ikenobo for the last 25 years and has taken numerous trips to Japan to take lessons. 

In the Western style floral arrangement, volume and perfect symmetry is the guiding principle. Ikebana values imperfection, empty spaces and harmony with nature as a central theme. According to Ikebana, “It isn’t about decorating, it’s about having a conversation between you and the natural world.” Visiting an Ikebana exhibit is about taking your time, having that conversation with the exhibit, and getting into a meditative state or at least trying to! 

From its sixth century origin in Japan, many schools continue to teach this artform around the world – a way of passing this ancient ritual to the younger generation. A visit to an Ikebana exhibit is a way to experience a timeless Japanese tradition. 

A DIY Ikebana table was a popular attraction with members from the Naples Ikebana Chapter teaching the art of “Ikebana made easy” where everyone created their own “free style” floral creation to take home. 

For this weekend, other ancient Japanese art forms joined the Ikebana Exhibit at the performance lawn of the Garden.JM Pottery, LLC brought a display of diverse pottery and vases with Ikebana in mind.  

Hiko Bonsai brought his collection of bonsai trees for sale. Bonsai is the sixth century Japanese art of growing miniature trees in pots. Hiko’s trees ranged from five years to 10 years old.  

The Japanese art form of Kokedama also had a display table. “Koke” meaning moss and “dama” meaning ball is the practice of suspending the root ball of a plant in a mud ball coated in sheets of green moss. This artform was believed to be an offshoot of the Bonsai technique which began around 500 years ago in Japan. 

Sendo de Café had a tent offering Japanese teas, desserts, Udon and Onigiri rice balls (made of steamed sweet rice molded into triangular or round shapes and wrapped in nori seaweed with flavorful filling).Hungry and thirsty visitors stopped by to quench their thirst from the assorted list of ice teas and also try the Japanese-style lite bites. Their Boba Tea (aka bubble tea) was a perfectly refreshing cold beverage on a hot day. Sendo de Café is downtown Naples’ newest addition to those who love Asian street food. I plan to sample their Matcha cake roll at their location on Park Street right off Fifth Avenue South.