A Creation Born from a Lesson

Today, I’d like to introduce one of the pieces that emerged during my lessons.

The very arrangement that first made me fall in love with Ikebana: a single-material composition using Aspidistra (Haran).

The photo on the left shows my very first attempt. The one in the middle was created two years later. And the one on the right was arranged overseas, where long-stemmed Aspidistra is hard to find, using leaves that were not in the best condition.

The Profound Nature of Aspidistra (Haran)

Aspidistra is a material frequently used in foundational practice, yet it is rarely seen in exhibitions. Still, it is said that “Ikebana begins with Aspidistra and ends with Aspidistra,” reflecting just how essential it is in the art of Ikebana.

Realizing the Logic of Nature

When I first encountered Aspidistra, my impression was simply, “Just a green leaf.” I placed the leaves exactly as instructed, without understanding why. Aspidistra has a right and a left side, and the leaves that receive more sunlight grow slightly larger. Aligning these directions creates a sense of unity, making separate leaves appear as though they belong to a single plant. At first, I couldn’t grasp this natural “logic” at all—I was just desperately trying to memorize the order. But as I continued practicing Ikebana, that logic slowly seeped into my body. There came a moment when I finally understood what it means to “listen to the voice of plants.”

The Memory of My First Awe

For a beginner like I was at the time, arranging a single-material Aspidistra piece felt almost like creating a piece of trick art. I followed the instructions step by step, concentrating entirely on my hands. When my teacher told me, “Step back and take a look,” I did so, and suddenly it appeared as a single, living plant. I can still recall the shock and wonder of that moment. Taking cut leaves and allowing them to shine again as one unified form made me realize something important.
I felt a strong desire to learn this beautiful tradition more deeply and to make it a part of my life.

A Feeling That Sprouted in My Heart

During a period when I had moved for my family and had grown used to suppressing my own desires as an adult, this was the first time in a long while that a “luxurious longing” sprouted within me. Aspidistra is not a glamorous material. Some people overseas even say, “If you arrange Aspidistra all the time, your house will be full of leaves,” and avoid it. Yet to me, its fresh green leaves shine just as brightly as flowers blooming to carry on their lineage.