A Historical Study on the Relation of the Planting Design to Rikka and Bonsai

Abstract

The “rikka” grew out of a simple style called the “tate-bana” and became formalized by arranging seven main flower stems or branches in positions. The rikka was affected by Buddhism, and the aims of the rikka is to express a symbolized nature. The forms of flower stems or branches and their structure have a symbolized sense of Mother Nature, then the arrangement of flower stems or branches should not against the principle of nature. The “suna-no-mono” was one of the rikka style flower arrangements, and it expressed a closerange view in contrast with the rikka expressing a distant view. The suna-no-mono has a similarity to a garden which expresses concrete scenery in this aspect. People did not only admire the beauty of a bonsai, but also enjoyed oneself wandering in the ideal world perceived in a bonsai. The appreciation of bonsai have a resemblance to the appreciation of garden, in which people can enjoy themselves in both aspects of body and soul.