The History of Ikebana

Ikebana, the Art of Japanese Flower Arranging, has been practiced for more than 600 years and was developed from the Buddhist ritual of offering flowers to the spirits of the dead.

By the middle of the 15th century, Ikebana was considered an art form. The first teachers and students were priests and members of the nobility. However, as time passed, many different schools were formed. Soon, Ikebana came to be practiced by all levels of Japanese society.

The spiritual aspect of Ikebana is considered very important to its practitioners. Silence is a must, during practices of Ikebana, as It is a time to appreciate things in nature that people often overlook, because of their busy lives. The practice of Ikebana, makes a person become more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but in general. 

Ikebana International Founder:

Mrs. Ellen Gordon Allen Tokyo, August 1956

Ikebana International was founded in 1956, by the late Mrs. Ellen Gordon Allen, who first encountered ikebana when she came to Japan with her husband, U.S. General Frank A. Allen, shortly after WWII.  

Mrs. Allen worked with the Ikebana school masters in Tokyo to found Ikebana International. She dreamed of spreading the practice of Ikebana, believing that its  principles would help foster greater world peace. She stated the organization’s motto as “Friendship Through Flowers.” 

The spread of the interest and love of Ikebana is largely due to Mrs. Allen, as it was her idea to create an organization dedicated to the study of Japanese flower arranging and related arts and to the cause of world peace and understanding. 

Ikebana International has spread to 61 countries with over 20,000 members and 200 chapters around the world. 

Mrs. Allen said: "The object of this Association (Ikebana International) shall be to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and other countries through Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arrangement) and other related arts of Japan."