Tips in Finding Ikebana Vase

Vase for Ikebana is one of the important part for the arrangement. For the intended flowers we can use items that could be found around the house which might be appropriate for the display area.

Use your imagination, you can have baskets, glasses, everyday kitchenware, watering can and many other things because all can be used and has great effect for the arrangement. Even though there are also varieties types of vases which are designed special for Ikebana flower arranging.

To be matched with the intended floral materials, don’t forget to consider the color, shape, size and texture. Another thing that you should pay attention on is the display situation whenever you select the ikebana vase so that’s mean not only the flower that you should focus on.

A larger and substantial vase is suitable for a dramatic seasonal arrangement in an entry hall. For other example if you want to put it at a bedside table you can use a small, less obvious vase and arrangement as it is more suitable.

For more various shapes  such as oval , round, rectangular or triangular we can use traditional vase called Suiban (flat bottom, shallow container).

You can use a low arrangement for dining room table so people can see over, for this type of arrangement is normally recommended with diameter of 30 cm and 4-5 cm type of container. A cylinder or prism-type style has about 30-40cm high, this is a tall vase type.

For more modern arrangement or when a certain height is required then you can use a compote shaped. A heavy and stable with a small opening vase like Pot is a very suitable container.

We could also use a natural material vase for a nice Ikebana arrangement,  such  as Bamboo baskets. Bamboo baskets are suitable for wild flowers or any flowers that comes from your garden. We could also use glass containers in many type of shapes. However if you use glass container make sure you pay attention on the water because the color changing as the result of immersed stem can be a distracting view.

The Aikido

Aikido martial arts is not about fighting, nor an offensive martial art. AI means “ Harmony” KI means “Spritual or life energy” DO means “way of path”, if we put it together will be “ Way of harmonizing the spiritual energy”. Aikido is a way to harmonize your body, spirit, and mind in order to find peaceful ways of living with our challenges of life. It is to be applied for everyday living.

Aikido is not learning about striking for its philosophical teachings. Aikido use the energy of our opponent to against themselves. We learn how to harmonize our opponent flowing energy and use it to control them. In Aikido we also learn how to harmonize our own energy to control our life. The method itself emphasizes the correct reaction against movements and dynamics of motion.

Aikido techniques are developed from Kenjutso and Jujitsu, those were used by the Samurai to encompass weaponless combat. These techniques were designed to attack an enemy joints and balance to negate their armor, relying upon circular flowing movements combined with joint locks and pressure points to effect control. A Japanese man Morehei Ueshiba combined them with the philosophies of Buddhism and Bushido (The way of the Samurai) to create a peaceful, benevolent art. People in his area usually call him O-Sensei, means the Great Teacher.

HERE ARE 10 TECHNIQUES IN AIKIDO: 

IKKYO, a technique by gripping your opponent’s elbow and gripping his wrist with the other hand 

NIKKYO, this technique brings muscles together by locking the opponent wrist








SANKYO, a technique by turning the opponent wrist, the motion advanced all through the elbow, arm and shoulder

YONKYO, It has almost the same technique with Ikkyo, it is a shoulder control, only that the forearm on the opposite side should be grip with both of your hands

GOKYO, It’s a variation of Ikkyo. The hand that grips your opponent’s wrist is reversed. Shoulder and arm are rotated with a downward pressure which is applied to the elbow

KOTEGAESHI, It is a throwing technique which involve wrist locks and throw that  stretches the extensor digitorum

IRIMINAGE, It’s a throw techniques which entering the body by moving into the  space that occupied of your opponent

KOSHINAGEe, a throwing technique using your hip, put your hip position lower  than your opponent’s hip and flip your opponent with a pivoting action

TENCHINAGE, the heaven and earth throw technique. Move forward and at the  same time sweep your one hand higher which represent heaven while other hand lower which represent the earth.Your opponent will topple over because losing  their balance

KAITENNAGE. A rotation throw technique. Move your opponent’s arm  backwards until you lock his shoulder’s joints. To apply more pressure keep  maintain the hold.

Japanese Kimono

Kimono is Japan national attire which has literally meanings “something worn” or clothing in Japanese culture. Back to history Chinese traders introduced Hanfu which was their traditional clothing to Japan and were later modified throughout Japan’s history and now known as contemporary Kimono. Few images of Japanese culture portrait as an elegant lady in a beautiful silk Kimono.

Probably the most popular piece of Asian clothing both uttered and adored by western countries is Japanese Kimono
An authentic Japan made Kimono can be cost at least $10.000, even a complete outfit consisting of undergarments, obi, ties, socks, sandals and accessories can be more than $ 20.000. Yes, it is very expensive. How can be a cloth can be cost that much?? Well, preparing an authentic Kimono takes a very long process and skilled craftsmen in Japan demand quite compensation. Kimono are traditionally sewn by hand, their fabrics are also made by hand plus their hand decoration using silk, silk brocade, silk crepes, and satin weaves which known as ninzu. Those reasons could answer the question why Kimono could be expensive.

However nowadays we can find cheaper Kimono, which is made by synthetic fabrics. The good thing is its more affordable.
Kimono are worn by women and men, but most often worn by women while men occasionally worn Kimono at weddings, tea ceremony, or other formal occasions. A more colorful and style Kimono use to wear younger girl and single, it has a longer sleeves and tied with a bright colored sash. It is more elaborate than older women.

Kimono for men usually has one basic shape worn in subdued colors. Furisode is a style of traditional kimono which worn by unmarried women. It has floor length sleeves and usually displayed on special occasions.

A white and heavy Kimono called Shiromuku, it has a great detail etched in it. A black kimono will be wear by men and women in funeral occasion. It shows respect in Japanese culture. Another custom from it, when a man is going to a funeral, they will need to wear black tie while a white tie will be use for wedding.

A light cotton Yukata usually worn in summer, it is an easy one for everybody to wear. Yukata can be seen during Japanese festivals and informal outdoor events.

What is Anime?!

What is Anime? Anime base on dictionary means "a  Japanese style of motion-picture animation". Anime also known as Manga, which is more more popular to be called that way in some countries. Anime can also be referred to animation or comics.

The history of Anime started on the twentieth century when the Japanese filmmakers experimenting techniques of animation. From this experiment anime characteristics and genres developed and have become the fundamental elements.

Anime itself is an alternative outlet for the art of storytelling and for this reason it becomes popular in Japan. Anime has low cost budget and its support Japan which was suffered from budgeting problem for live action movies that time, not to mention the restriction that were placed on the casting as well as location.

In September 1963 NBC syndicated a dubbed version of Astro Boy which is Japanese Anime series and this is the time when anime burst onto the scene. In the  80’s, Gundam and Macross became an instant classics of Japanese Robot Anime, up until now the robot genre still heard of the most in Japan and worldwide.

Typical drawing of Anime or Manga is with large eyes. It was actually  credited to the influence of Osamu Tezuka. He inspired by American cartoon such as Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse and Disney’s Bambi. Another typical of Manga is that they have this extremely expression when they are shocked, surprise, cry, happy, or in any kind of mood.

Some animes can be drawn by hand but nowadays with the developing of technologies it can be assisted by computer. Usually teenager and kids has become their market target. Anime considered as limited animation and can be produce in full length of motion pictures, also in live action film like television series.

Instead of calligrapher’s pen, the line of Anime often influenced by brushwork. Nowadays there are many books available where people can learn how to draw Anime with some style, even you can learn it on line, like on the video below this article. Enjoy :)