Ikebana International C H A P T E R 2 1 2
When cut flowers are in full bloom, time is of the
essence to get them into water before they wilt. Most
just shuffle the flowers around in a way that is pleasing
to the eye and is symmetrical — a common feature of
western flower arranging. The whole process probably
takes less than five minutes.
Flower arranging as practiced by members of the
Wilmington chapter of Ikebana International takes con-siderably
longer.
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. It’s a
skill that can take a lifetime to master.
“Ikebana is a very peaceful study based on nature,”
says Marylee Hawse, member and former president of
Wilmington’s Ikebana International chapter.
The evolution of the practice, which is based on sets
of rules, has resulted in several different styles. Different
schools teach each variation. Three of these schools can
be found in the Cape Fear region: sogetsu, ohara and
ikenobo. Hawse is a fifth-level professor of ikenobo, the
oldest and most classical form of ikebana.
Hawse became interested in flower arranging after
watching her grandmother doing the church flowers.
A garden club in her hometown introduced her to a
woman studying ikenobo.
“I had one class and I was hooked,” she says.
Some years later, Hawse attended an ikenobo pro-gram
at the Lansdowne Garden Club in Wilmington,
and then formed an ikebana study group with friends
Effie Burney, Marie Kahn and Ruth Lees. The infor-mal
group grew into an official chapter of Ikebana
International and now has about 35 members.
Hawse has studied the craft for many years and con-tinues
to learn.
“It’s taught me to really enjoy the moment and value
the flowers,” she says.
She loves to spend time gathering wildflowers and
live materials, and often orders special Japanese contain-ers
and utensils online.
“Each piece has its own little part,” she says.
Before the work begins, the arranger diagrams both
frontal and overhead views. Each stem is drawn at a
specific angle to the kenzan — a base containing mul-tiple
spikes — and meticulously placed. The Japanese
ascribe meaning to the color, shape and position of
individual flowers, claiming each flower makes its own
statement.
Above: An arrangement of lilies, chrysanthemums, lisianthus and camellias by Bev Maurer at the Wilmington chapter of
Ikebana International’s 2018 exhibition at the New Hanover County Arboretum in March. Right, clockwise from top left:
Marylee Hawse demonstrates some of her techniques. An arrangement of Asiatic lilies and pussy willow by Terri Downs.
A miniature arrangement in the Ikenobo style by Marylee Hawse. An arrangement of prunus and tulips by Terri Downs. An
arrangement of fatsia, bird of paradise, robellini, pussy willow and Indian dracaena by Marylee Hawse.
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WBM may 2018
PHOTOS BY ALLISON POTTER