Examine the Zen elements in a traditional Japanese art/
aesthetic form.
“Ma and the Art of Japanese Flower Arranging: Mastering the
Techniques and Aesthetics of Ikebana”
I have written an abstract of the essay below. Please refer to it.
Requirements
~2000 words (exclude footnotes and bibliography).
Cite everything properly (with page reference numbers).
6 or more academic sources.
§ Acknowledging only at the
bibliography is not enough.
§ Identifying the sentence or passage by “ ”:
§ In-text citation with page reference numbers.
My Abstract
The evolution of Japanese
Flower Arrangement, Ikebana, spanning from the Heian period to the Edo
period, has witnessed continuous refinement and diversification in styles and
techniques (Anbarwati et al., 2023). Despite these changes, the essence of Ikebana
styles has remained rooted in the concept of Ma, a vital element deeply
embedded in Japan’s cultural and philosophical traditions (Ayako Graefe, 2017).
Originating in the 6th century alongside the introduction of Buddhism to Japan
(Sato, 2012), Ikebana adheres to specific rules guiding the arrangement
of flowers, emphasizing balance and harmony through simplicity. This simplicity
is derived from the emphasis on ‘space,’ a central principle in various Ikebana
styles such as Tatebana, Rikka, and Seika, symbolizing
emptiness and the notion of ‘less is more’ (Elias and Arantes, 2019). Across Ikebana
styles, emptiness represents energy, emotion, optimism, and potentiality
(Kopytin and Yu, 2021), playing a crucial role in disrupting the continuity of
time and space to establish a sense of flow and rhythm in life. By integrating
the concept of Ma, Ikebana masters are encouraged to contemplate
their place in both a broader and personal sense across various dimensions
(Kopytin, Bockhorni, Zhou, 2019). Throughout history, from the elegant vase
arrangements of the Heian period to the contemporary acceptance exemplified by
the 8th Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Ikebana has evolved, with simplicity
remaining a shared principle among its various styles (Yuan, 2023). This emphasis
on simplicity, facilitated by Ma, continues to serve as a cornerstone of
the Japanese aesthetics. Consequently, the persistent application of Ma
has been instrumental in shaping Ikebana’s core principles across
different styles, making it an indispensable element throughout its evolution.
I have added my lecture notes, along with criterias and required sources below. Please refer to them!
