A Guide to Using the Kenzan in Floral Arrangements - By Ilse Beunen

In the world of ikebana, the introduction of Western flowers presented a unique challenge to traditional Japanese floral art. These new varieties often had different stem structures and weights compared to native plants, making them difficult to incorporate into ikebana arrangements. The solution emerged in the early 20th century when the innovative Ohara Unshin introduced the Moribana style, which involves arranging flowers in shallow containers. A kenzan was used to secure the flowers in place.

Although the inventor of the kenzan remains unknown, its popularity grew significantly with the adoption of the Moribana style.

The word "kenzan" (剣山) translates to "sword mountain," a fitting name given the tool's appearance—a series of sharp, upright pins mounted on a lead base. This design allowed ikebana artists to secure stems in shallow containers, a crucial element in maintaining the graceful, slanted placements that are a hallmark of the art. The kenzan provided the necessary support and balance and opened up new creative possibilities, making it possible to work with a broader range of materials.
As the kenzan gained popularity, it was quickly adopted by various ikebana schools, which began to incorporate it into their curriculums and basic arrangement techniques.

Today, the kenzan is an essential tool not only in traditional ikebana but also in contemporary floral design, including Western styles. However, despite its widespread use, the kenzan often comes without instructions, leaving many beginners to learn through trial and error. To help you avoid common pitfalls, here are some essential tips on how to use a kenzan effectively.

A Basic Guide to Using a Kenzan
Using a kenzan might seem straightforward, but a few key techniques can make a significant difference in the stability and appearance of your arrangement.

For Flowers: When working with flowers, the process is relatively simple. First, cut the flower stems straight across, ensuring a clean edge. Then, position the stem on the kenzan and gently push it into the desired angle using your thumb and forefinger. The pins will hold the stem in place, allowing you to create the slanted or upright positions typical in ikebana.

If the stem is too thin to be securely held by the kenzan, you can wrap it with floral tape to thicken it. This added thickness will provide a better grip on the pins, ensuring that the stem remains in place.

If you have no floral tape, you can place the thin stem into a thicker, hollow one.

For Branches: Branches, on the other hand, require a slightly different approach. Because they are often harder and thicker than flower stems, they can potentially damage the kenzan's pins. To avoid this, cut the branch at a slant—typically at an angle greater than 45 degrees. The exact angle isn't crucial, but the direction of the cut is. Place the longest part of the cut in the direction you want the branch to lean, then insert it straight into the kenzan before gently pushing it toward the desired angle.

When working with heavy branches, you may need to choose a heavier kenzan to prevent it from toppling over. If the branch is still too heavy, consider stacking two kenzans, with one placed upside down on top of the other, to provide additional stability.

For those who are more advanced, there are additional techniques to secure very thick branches, which involve using multiple kenzans or other forms of support to maintain balance.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Kenzan
It's important to clean your kenzan, but there's no need to overdo it. In fact, a bit of patina on the kenzan can make it easier to hide within your arrangements, as a darker kenzan blends more seamlessly than a shiny, new one.

To clean your kenzan, use a kenzan corrector tool to remove any plant material, like leaves or stems, that may be stuck between the pins. Rinse the kenzan under clean water to wash away any remaining debris.

If you notice that any of the pins are bent, you can use the corrector tool to gently straighten them. Correctors have a small opening at the end—simply place this over the bent pin and push it back into its upright position.

Conclusion
The kenzan has transformed ikebana, allowing artists to incorporate a wider variety of plants and create more dynamic, balanced arrangements. By understanding the basic techniques for using and maintaining a kenzan, you can enhance your ikebana practice, whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner.

If you're interested in learning more about the history and evolution of fixation techniques in ikebana, be sure to check out my blog post, "History of Fixation: From Sand and Straws to Kenzans."

Or check out the YouTube video about an interesting new innovation about the Wazakura Kenzan with Slanted pins.