Ikebana
Emperor Saga was renowned for his enthusiasm in academic and cultural matters.
He appreciated spontaneously growing plants in his garden, such as Japanese apricots,
bamboos, and chrysanthemums.
He especially loved the graceful form and scent of chrysanthemums. He would occasionally
snap off one of these and include it in an arrangement of flowers. He also wrote
a tanka poem about these arrangements.
His love for nature and plants has endured for 1200 years and is still preserved
today in the essence of the Saga style.
After the reign of Emperor Saga, the retired Emperor Gouda began
to manage the politics behind the scenes.
He conferred various titles on civil artists to encourage the
development of cultural entertainment.
Therefore, Daikakuji occupied an important position in the history
of Japanese culture.
By the end of the Edo period, the Saga style had spread all over Japan. During the Taisho period, Daikakuji was the center for Ikebana and it administered branch offices all over Japan. At present, Daikakuji has over 150 branch offices in several foreign countries, in addition to our brances in Japan. Saga Goryu Ikebana has now spread to all parts of the world and is developing rapidly.
This type is used to greet guests in an alcove. It is the most basic
style.
This is a flower arrangement in which the flowers are clumped into vases,
like a compote.
In this type, the flowers are arranged in tall, wide, pot-like vases.
This arrangement enlivens formal ceremonies
and Buddhist rituals.
This is a contemporary style derived from the above four styles.
Home | About Daikakuji | Scene in Daikakuji | Annual Events | Ikebana | How to Access | Japanese Site
copyright 2006 © Daikakuji Temple All Rights Reserved.