Japanese Flower Arrgt- Primer: A Complete Primer

By Ellen G. Allen

There is something of the artist in each of us. Some of us find expression in painting, poetry, or sculpture, some in landscape gardening. With talent and facility, expression in these art forms is Satisfying. And this is true also of flower arranging, an ancient art that can express a thought or mood and in a sense combine the expression of severnl other media. Yet special talent for flower arranging is not essential. The 'feeling' for it is engendered by the practice of it!' With these words Ellen Gordon Allen begins the introduction to her eminently practical primer of Japanese flower arrangement, which is here being offered in a new revised edition. As a certified teacher (Oharn school)
and a very successful one, Mrs. Allen is well qualified to present her subject.
The purpose of her book is fourfold: to increase the skill of all who love to arrange flowers to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the Japanese art of flower arrangement; to help students when no teacher is available; and
to provide a medium of instruction among the many, often confusing, schools of Japoncse flower arrangement. It is Mrs. Allen's hope that the primer will serve as a practical handbook for beginners and that it will dispel the aura of
mystery that seems to surround the subject. To this end, she has made her instructions as elementary as possible. The few fundamental rules of Japanese flower arrangement and the various techniques are presented in a simple manner.
Wherever possible, English equivalents have been substituted for Japanese terms. Each lesson sketches, photographs, and diagrams which clearly show the student what to do in working toward completion of the arrangement. Although Mrs. Allen teaches principally the methods of the Ohara school for the moribana and heika styles and the methods of the Saga school for the seika style, her book is also a compilation of information from the Sogetsu, the Ikenobo, the Sho-fu·ryu, and other famous schools in Japan. She has selected what she considers most practical for use in the American or other foreign setting. By using the slep-by-step methods outlined in the 14 well-organized lessons, the Rowerarrangement
student will not only be able to learn rapidly but will also experience the pleasure of making genuine progress in an art that provides an endless source of enjoyment. And, as Mrs. A1len expresses it, "it is the enjoyment of making flower arrangements that I want particularly to stress. Learn the fundamentals
and you will enjoy their application, sharing your pleasure with others who will marvel at your skill in arranging flowers."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Release date: Jun 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462903887

Book preview

JAPANESE

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

JAPANESE

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

A

Complete

Primer

by Ellen G. Allen

CHARLES E. TUTTLE COMPANY

Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo Japan

European Representatives

Continent: BOXERBOOKS, INC., Zurich

British Isles: PRENTICE-HALL INTERNATIONAL, INC., London

Published by the Charles E. Tuttle Company,

of Rutland, Vermont & Tokyo, Japan

with editorial offices at

Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032

Copyright in Japan, 1962, by

Charles E. Tuttle Co.

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 62-21731

ISBN: 978-1-4629-0388-7 (ebook)

1st edition published 1952 by National Council Books, Inc., Philadelphia

1st Tuttle edition, 1963

PRINTED IN JAPAN

This book is humbly dedicated to

The Creator

in thanksgiving for

the wonderful works of God. Acts II, 2

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

It is with great pleasure that I learn that the unique art of Japanese Flower Arrangement has been introduced and warmly received in the United States.

In Mrs. Ellen G. Allen is found a most suitable interpreter of flower arrangement to the American public. While in Japan, Mrs. Allen studied with diligence and enthusiasm the principles of both the classic and the modern schools.

Unfortunately, some students of flower arrangement believe that once they have studied but one out of all the various schools, they have mastered all the secrets of Japanese Flower Arrangement. In contrast, the thorough training which Mrs. Allen has received leads me to lend my whole-hearted endorsement to this book with its wide and objective treatment of the subject matter.

It was my pride and pleasure to have taught Mrs. Allen and to have awarded her the diploma of my school, thus making her the first qualified teacher of the Ohara School in the United States since I became Founder and Headmaster.

I congratulate Mrs. Allen on her success in compiling this excellent outline of Japanese Flower Arrangement in general. I particularly recommend it to those in America who wish to know the correct fundamentals of the Ohara School.

AN APPRECIATION

Japanese Flower Arrangement, a Complete Primer, was originally a private publication entitled Japanese Flower Arrangement in a Nutshell. It was launched in January 1953. With fear and trepidation its captain, the author, saw the book sail forth. But the fears proved groundless since snug harbors were provided in all ports in the United States, Japan and Europe.

Success so far may be attributed to the response of garden club members throughout the country, to others who love to arrange flowers, to my loyal mends and to interested booksellers. I therefore welcome this opportunity to thank them all.

I am deeply indebted to the great masters of Japanese Flower Arrangement whom I know personally, particularly Mr. Houn Ohara who has constantly assisted me, also Mr. Koshi Tsujii, Mr. Sofu Teshigahara, Mrs. Joshui Oshikawa, and my special teacher, Mrs. Kimiko Fujiwara.

Due to many requests for simple instruction on additional basic and traditional styles of Japanese Flower Arrangement, this revised edition was prepared. It could never have been undertaken nor completed by me alone, hut depended upon the cooperation and assistance of many. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to those who have aided me: Mrs. A. F. Striker and Miss Bertimary Tarpley (both students of Japanese Flower Arrangement), whose unselfish assistance and sound judgment have been my constant guide; Ambassador Sadao Iguchi, and members of the staff of the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C.; the authorities of the Japan Tourist Bureau for permitting me to reproduce the picture of the Rikka arrangement from the Floral Art of Japan; Mrs. Tyumoto, Mr. Reikichi Yokohama, and to my interpreter and liaison representative in Japan, Mr. Shizuo Takagaki.

I am also grateful to the following who did much to encourage me and provide material assistance: Mrs. Luise Sims, Mrs. Elizabeth Payne, Mrs. Richard Newnham, Theodore E. Wasko, Harry D. Dutchyshyn, William N. Early, Wendell H. Moore, Robert W. Nicholson, E. A. Botts, Thomas Henson, L. V. Pearson, R. J. Hayes, Melvin Glover, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Murray, and to many others.

WHY THE PRIMER AND REVISED EDITION

The purpose of this Primer is four-fold: to increase the skill of all who love to arrange flowers; to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the art of Japanese Flower Arrangement; to help students when no teacher is available;-The Primer was originally written at the insistence of my first class in Japanese Flower Arrangement in