Cultural Reference Ikebana いけばな(生け花)


Ikebana

IKEBANA いけばな(生け花)is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. 生け花 is more than simply putting flowers in a container. It is a disciplined art form in which the arrangement is a living thing where nature and humanity are brought together. It is steeped in the philosophy of developing a closeness with nature.

As is true of all other arts, 生け花 is creative expression within certain rules of construction. Its materials are living branches, leaves, grasses, and blossoms. Its heart is the beauty resulting from color combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines, and the meaning latent in the total form of the arrangement. 生け花 is, therefore, much more than mere floral decoration

What distinguishes 生け花 from other approaches such as "flower arrangement" is its asymmetrical form and the use of empty space as an essential feature of the composition. A sense of harmony among the materials, the container, and the setting is also crucial. These are characteristics of aesthetics that 生け花 shares with traditional Japanese paintings, gardens, architecture, and design.

Practice Activity Pastime Practice しゅみ(趣味)

Let's practice talking about our pastime activities. Say that the pastime in the image is a one that you like, love, dislike, etc., and then practice giving a reason why you feel that way about each activity. Click the image in the first column to see a possible response in the second column.

Go for a ride
Theatre
Ceramics
Movies
Painting
Bowling
Martial Arts
Chess
Skating

Repeating / Listening 歩こう歩こう

In this unit, we will study a Japanese children’s song. Listen to the recording and repeat it many times for practice.


あるこう あるこう    ( 歩こう 歩こう)     Let’s walk! Let’s walk!
わたしはげんき    ( 私は元気)      I’m healthy.
あるくのだいすき   ( 歩くの大好き)  I love to walk.
どんどんゆこう     (どんどん行こう)       Let’s go! 
さかみち、トンネル    ( 坂道、トンネル)     Slopes, a tunnel
くさっぱら   ( くさっばら)     Meadow
いっぽんばしに    ( 一本橋に )    One bridge and
でこぼこじゃりみち     (でこぼこじゃり道)   Uneven gravel road  
くものす くぐって     (蜘蛛の巣 くぐって)   Go under a spider web
くだりみち     (下り道 )    Descending road

 

 

Let’s walk! Let’s walk!
I’m healthy.
I love to walk.
Let’s go!
Slopes, a tunnel
Meadow
One bridge and
Uneven gravel road
Go under a spider web
Descending road

Graded Assignment Graded Assignments

Please return to the Section 3 Tasks & Assignments folder to complete the graded assignments for Section 3, Part B.

spaces

Now go to Part C