Moribana Techniques Explained

Moribana is one of the basic ikebana style. Here, I will explain moribana techniques in a simple way to make you understand easily.

It usually uses a shallow container, called a suiban and a kenzan, a needle point holder for flower insertion.

Since flowers are inserted onto the straight needles, special attention must be paid when cutting the stems. We will talk about that in the later part.

Here, is an example of the basic moribana kakeizu. Understanding, then visualizing the arrangement is an important skill in ikebana.

After you have the image of the arrangement in your head, start inserting the flowers.

But first, you need to learn the position of kenzan in the suiban.

There are 8 positions of kenzan in the suiban.

Positions 1 to 4, are for the basic styles. Positions 5 to 8, are for the variation of moribana styles.

And between positions 1 and 2, with 3 and 4, 1 and 2 are used for upright style, 3 and 4 are used for slanting style.

This is somewhat fixed after considering the balance of the branches and flowers, and also the size of the container.

When inserting the stems into the kenzan, there is a way to do it. The point of insertion of the main stems should form a triangle in the kenzan.

The reason being, this way, it will be easier to insert the Juushi (supporting stems). Although they are not as important as the Shushi (main stems) but they are still indispensable.

So now, you know where to place your stems and you have the idea in your head of what the arrangement looks like.

But how to insert the stems? Is there any special technique?

First, before inserting the stems into the kenzan, study the material first.

The meaning of 'ikebana' itself, 'ike' is derived from 'live' and 'bana' means flowers. So, always keep in mind to arrange the flowers so that they always look lively in their natural state.

Turn the stem of your flowers around to see at which angle your flower looks its most lively.

Imagine you are the SUN and the flowers should look up to the SUN. After you've decided the facing of your flowers in the arrangement, you can begin cutting the stems.

When cutting the stems, always try to cut the stems on an angle and under water.

when cutting on an angle, the area of the cut stem is larger and will allow more moisture absorption. And when you cut under the water, you will allow water to be absorbed straight into the stem.

Otherwise, air will fill up the stem and interrupt the water absorption process.

After you have inserted the flowers, the kenzan should be invisible. Because it is a tool to help flower insertion and not part of the arrangement.

But, do not make it look like it is intentionally covered. The coverup must look natural.

Now, let's put these moribana techniques into use. Let's start with the basic upright style of moribana.

The Upright Moribana Arrangements...

• Basic Upright Style Moribana
  A basic upright style moribana, using red roses and cypress sticks.

• Basic Upright Style Moribana Reversed
  A basic reverse upright style moribana, using purple eustoma and liatris.

• Upright Moribana Variation 1
  An upright moribana variation 1 arrangement, using purple mums and bulrush.

• Upright Moribana Variation 2
  An upright moribana variation 2 arrangement using leucadendron and chrysanthemums.

• Upright Moribana Variation 3
  An upright moribana variation 3 arrangement using orange gerberras and Wooly Bush.

• Upright Moribana Variation 4
  An upright moribana variation 4 arrangement using green calla lilies and yellow chrysanthemums.

• Upright Moribana Variation 5
  An upright moribana variation 5 arrangement using green berries and purple eustomas.

• Horizontal Moribana Variation 6
  A horizontal moribana variation 6 arrangement that uses red mini anthuriums and ruscus leaves.

The Slanting Moribana Arrangements...

• Basic Slanting Moribana
  A basic slanting moribana style, using yellow gerberras and japonica.

• Basic Slanting Moribana Reversed
  A basic slanting moribana reversed style, using purple chrysanthemums and ruscus leaves.

• Slanting Moribana Variation 1
  A slanting moribana variation 1 arrangement using molucella and white stargazer lilies.

• Slanting Moribana Variation 2
  A slanting moribana variation 2 arrangement using red anthuriums, and purple chrysanthemums.

• Slanting Moribana Variation 3
  A slanting moribana variation 3 arrangement using pink gerberras.

• Slanting Moribana Variation 4
  A slanting moribana variation 4 arrangement using light pink lisianthus and bright pink gerberras.

• Slanting Moribana Variation 5
  A slanting moribana variation 5 arrangement that uses platycerium leaves and yellow pom poms.

• Slanting Moribana Variation 6
  A slanting moribana variation 6 arrangement that uses red roses and white dendrobium orchids.

Other than the basic upright variations and basic slanting variations, there are also other variations that are different from those above. They are...

• Variation 7 - floating arrangement, spreading arrangement and morimono arrangement.

• Variation 8 - combined variations in one arrangement.

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