Portland Japanese Garden

Portland, Ore. – What distinguishes ikebana from other approaches to
flower arrangement? Asymmetrical form and the use of “empty” space are
essential features of the composition. A sense of harmony among the materials,
the container, and the setting is also crucial. Ikebana shares these aesthetic
characteristics with traditional Japanese paintings, gardens, architecture, and
design.

On March 20–21 the members of the Portland Chapter of the Ohara School,
led by Master Teacher Kitty Akre, set the tone for early spring with an array of
exquisite designs on display in the Pavilion of the Portland Japanese Garden.
The Ohara School of Ikebana was founded in 1912 at the end of the Meiji Period,
when Japan opened itself to the influence of Western culture. The school is
noted for developing the moribana style, which broke with the more formal
vertical style of the past to create new horizontal “landscape”
arrangements, with flowers “heaped” (moru) in lower tray-like
containers expressing the spirit of a time of great transition in Japan.

According to Diane Durston, the Garden’s Curator of Culture, Art, and Education,
“Just as the Japanese Garden itself, the traditional art of Ikebana has so much
to teach contemporary artists and designers about simplicity, asymmetry, and
balance. Anyone interested in learning more about the Japanese sense of beauty
will really enjoy this exhibition.”

Separate Ikebana exhibitions by four
ikebana schools and one by the International Ikebana Society occur throughout
the year at the Portland Japanese Garden. All ikebana exhibitions are free with
paid Garden admission. To learn more about these and other upcoming events at
the Portland Japanese Garden, visit www.japanesegarden.com/events or call
(503) 542-0280.

The Portland Japanese Garden has been proclaimed one of the most
beautiful Japanese gardens in the world. The Garden is located above Washington
Park at 611 SW Kingston Drive in SW Portland, Oregon and is open daily except on
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

This release was published February 26, 2010. For further information please contact Kerry Cobb, Director of Marketing & Visitor Services, at kcobb @ japanesegarden.com or (503) 328-0050.