From Ikebana to Botanical Arranging: Artistic, Therapeutic, and Spiritual Alignment with Nature

Abstract

This article reviews the history of the Japanese art of Ikebana and the contemporary ecological art therapy practice involving botanical arranging and their correlation and contribution to the physical and mental well-being of human beings. Different perspectives are offered by a Brazilian Ikebana professor, with a neurological background, from the Ikenobo School, a Russian art therapist specializing in ecological art therapy, and a Chinese creative art therapist with a biomedical background. Ikebana and botanical arranging are considered forms of creative interaction with nature, providing multiple therapeutic effects and showing us how to realign with the laws of nature.

Keywords

• ikebana
• japanese arts
• zen buddhism
• ecological therapy
• arts therapies
• art expression
• botanical arranging