Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: An Introduction to the Spirit of the Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement

The Japanese art of flower arrangement, ikebana, is not only a precise technique but a psychological discipline that can set its practitioners on the path to spiritual enlightenment. From this simple, beautifully illustrated book, the reader can learn how to practice ikebana, discover a new appreciation of flowers and their significance in nature, and learn about the symbolism that transforms the deed of arranging flowers into an act of worship. This book was written as a companion to Zen and the Art of Archery, by Eugen Herrigel, the author's husband. It is another celebration of Zen philosophy, a lucid and artistic description of the methods by which Zen can be taught, and a memoir of a Japanese way of life long since swept away by Western influence.