IKENOBO

Ikenobō is the oldest and largest school of ikebana. It was founded in the 15th century by the Buddhist monk Senno. The school is based at the Rokkaku-dō temple in Kyoto. The name is derived from a pond where Prince Shōtoku was bathing. Like a poem or painting made with flowers, Ikenobo’s ikebana expresses both the beauty of flowers and the beauty of longing in our own hearts. Ikenobo’s spirit has spread not only in Japan but throughout the world. It is our deepest hope that the beauty of Ikenobo will increasingly serve as a way of drawing the world’s people together. 

Ikenobo is said to be the origin of ikebana. The history of Ikenobo is the history of ikebana, which began with Ikenobo. In over 550 years, many other schools have branched off from Ikenobo. Senno Ikenobo, who was active in the late Muromachi period (mid-16th century), established the philosophy of  ikebana, completing a compilation of Ikenobo teachings called “Senno  Kuden.” 

Ikenobo’s current 45th generation Headmaster, Sen’ei Ikenobo, believes that the possibility of creating new ikebana depends on the desire to  refine one’s own character, a spirit that has been passed down to us as  the essence of ikebana itself.

Ikenobo’s history encompasses both the traditional and the modern and the two are continually interacting to encourage new development in today’s ikebana. Currently,  Ikenobo students receive both classical training and encouragement to explore modern Ikebana’s use in  contemporary life, including modern Rikka, Shoka and free styles.