#ikebanna

Images of all the arrangements from Hijiri-Ikenobo class: 12/05/13 

These are all the arrangements from my Hijiri-Ikenobo class. Lesson: Jiyu-Hanagata (Freestyle) Ryaku-Do (Omitted Do Style) Moribana. Moribana means “piled up” style of Ikebana. This group of arrangements provides a nice variation of vessels suitable for Moribana. Yasuko Sensei's is the First image in this series and represents the ideal of what the Ryaku-Do lesson exemplified. I love the vessel she used and I plan to try a few of my own variations based on this piece. The second piece in this series is one that belongs to another member of our group but is in a suiban that I made. The last image in this set is the arrangement I made with flowers I took home from class. I was late to class due to my teaching schedule and had to take my flowers to the studio to make my arrangement. I used it as the center piece for my Open Studio night. This was originally proportioned for a different vessel but it sold to a buyer before I could even photograph it! The second vessel I used is a Tenmoku Kurinuki-style (Hand-carved) kabin, please forgive the proportional differences due to the change in vessels.

Suitable containers for Moribana:

Suiban, low containers or wide mouth containers

Length of Shin (main stem):

1.5 x the width of the suiban + the height of the suiban

合掌,

Cody Kroll コーディクロール

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房

15" Suiban Prototypes: 11/29/13

This style of container is called a Suiban. These containers are used in Moribana-style Kado arrangements. I’ve experimented with several methods of making these and finally found one I like that provides for flexibility and spontaneity. I made two 15" versions yesterday. I "stretch & pull" a slab first. I cut the profile of the floor of the suiban from the slab. I then make a thick coil that I attach then pinch and stretch with a bamboo knife. The technique I use is the same as a traditional Tebineri (hand forming) method used in Shigaraki prefecture in Japan. I’m still wrestling with what glaze palettes I want to use…wood firing would be my first choice but it’s winter here in the Rust Belt and no wood kilns are available. Also, I really have to keep my price points in a reasonable range for my Ikebana clients. This necessitates that I develop a glaze palette for these vessels to fire in gas or electric. If anything, it is broadening my horizons, plus I need new vessels for my own arrangements. It’s the journey not the destination…so much more to make!

合掌,

Cody Kroll コーディクロール

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房

Niju-giri Prototype: 11/29/13

This style of container is usually made of bamboo and is called a Niju-giri (Two-level). This container is used in Nidan Hangata (Double Layered Style). Although it is normally made of bamboo I love this style of vessel aesthetically. I've experimented with several methods of making these and finally found one I think captures the spontaneity of bamboo in both forming method and finished product. I'm still wrestling with what glaze palettes I want to use...wood firing would be my first choice but it's winter here in the Rust Belt and no wood kilns are available. Also, I really have to keep my price points in a reasonable range for my Ikebana clients. This necessitates that I develop a glaze palette for these vessels to fire in gas or electric. If anything, it is broadening my horizons, plus I need new vessels for my own arrangements. It's the journey not the destination...so much more to make!

合掌,

Cody Kroll コーディクロール

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房

Nageire “free style” - Chabana arrangements - 8/23/13

Images of arrangements I made in the studio using my own hanaire and the leftover flowers from my Hijiri-Ikenobo class. Yasuko Sensei told me after sending her these images that, "All of them look very good. I like the first one for the best and as I see you put it in front of your scroll ^_^. You amaze me you are learning quickly and precisely!!" She wants me to train to be an Instructor in our school...she says it will take time but I will be certified in Japan as an Hijiri Ikenobo teacher. The arrangements shown are displayed in Ishihaze anagama fired hanaire as well as one nezumi-shino hanaire. It is my goal in Ikebana to use the least amount of material possible to accomplish the style chosen. I love Ikebana because it instinctively uses every bit of design and composition theory I learned in Graduate School and Undergrad…with flowers…

合掌,

Cody Krollコーディクロール 

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房

Nuki-Do “Standing-out” Do Style - Hijiri Ikenobo Class 8/08/13

Images of today’s arrangement from my Hijiri Ikenobo Ikebana class. I have included an image from our handbook for viewers to determine how well I accomplished today’s Nuki-Do lesson. The arrangement shown is the one I made using a Temmoku and Nuka glazed suiban style vessel I made. It is my goal in Ikebana to use the least amount of material possible to accomplish the style chosen. I love Ikebana because it instinctively uses every bit of design and composition theory I learned in Graduate School and Undergrad…with flowers…

合掌,

Cody Krollコーディクロール 

Kuma Gama - Clay Studio 熊窯 - 陶工房