A Year of Japanese Ikebana - by Hiroshi Toda & Atsushi Kobayashi (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The true spirit of Japanese ikebana as revealed by two great masters.

Step into a world of quiet beauty through the floral artistry of Japan. Written by the director of a renowned Osaka tea utensils shop and an ikebana master, this richly illustrated book celebrates the harmony between nature, art, and ritual.

Each of the twelve chapters corresponds to a month of the year, with reflections on the changing seasons, personal stories of flowers and vases, and poetic insights into the spirit of chabana--the art of tea flowers. Alongside these lyrical essays you'll find practical advice to guide you in the subtle art of selecting, cutting, and placing flowers.

Lavishly illustrated with over 187 full-color photographs, this book offers a rich visual journey through the sensual beauty of tea ceremony flower arrangements, including the vessels, tools and painted scrolls used to complete each display. More than a guide, it invites readers see the world more deeply in a new way--one flower at a time.

About the Author

Hiroshi Toda is the 13th-generation head of Tanimatsuya Toda Shoten, a venerable Osaka-based tea utensil dealer with a history spanning three centuries. An expert in both classical tea ware and contemporary art, he studied in the United States and apprenticed at Tokyo's Yayoi Gallery before joining the family business in 1976. Known for bringing a modern sensibility to the ancient art of Chado, the "Way of Tea", he served as president of the company before passing the torch to his son, although he continues as chairman.

Atsushi Kobayashi is an ikebana master who has worked for Tanimatsuya Toda Shoten since 1998, he is known for his deeply intuitive and expressive approach to the art of floral arrangements for the tea ceremony. Drawing inspiration from traditional aesthetics, contemporary art, and the rhythms of nature, Kobayashi treats each arrangement as a singular moment of creation--improvised, imperfect and deeply felt. This book is a reflection of his belief that true artistry lies in trusting one's instincts, embracing imperfection and finding quiet joy in the everyday act of placing flowers.