A study on the evolution of landscape expression based on analyzing the plants utilized in Ikenobo Rikka

Abstract

Ikenobo is considered the origin of Japanese Ikebana and the style of Japanese Ikebana with the longest history. Rikka is unique and one of the major flower arrangement styles of Ikenobo. It first appeared in the 16th century (late Muromachi period) and underwent major developments during the 17th century. Rikka is known for illustrating landscape views by arranging various plants together into one piece of work. Research is focused on studying classification, shape, and positioning of plants in Rikka works; as well as trying to find the connection between these arrangements and the landscape expression represented by these works. The research also focused on finding the connection between the variation in the positioning of the plants according to landscape visual distance and the changing of landscape expression from the Edo period to present. The study is based on the analysis of written descriptions in Kashos, Kadenshos, and the drawing records in Hanagatae of the historical arrangement of works. By studying both the written descriptions and visualized drawing records, the research analyzed the change in the symbolic meaning of landscape expression represented by various plants, the evolution of history for Yakueda and Ashirai of Rikka, and the characteristic of Rikka plants arrangements.