No Force but Forethought

Mishoryu’s traditional Kakubana” form (in Japanese 格花) necessitates several techniques, especially when mounted in a cylindric vase. That is because every bent branch needs to fit in a Y” shaped piece of bamboo called matagi” placed at water level near the top of the vase.

The over-arching point of each technique, however, is the same: force should not settle branches into position, nor should any part of the arrangement use pressure to achieve stability. In Kakubana, every element must seamlessly fit tightly to its neighbor, much like in a puzzle.

Therefore, forethought is paramount to turn that devilish Kakubana triangle into a reality.



Date
October 29, 2023