Your Guide to Floral Arrangement

Today, we're delighted to introduce you to the inspiring vision of Tiger Blossom, a U.S.-based artist working at the intersection of flowers and self-expression. Her practice of Ikebana is a beautiful invitation to connect with your own creativity and personality. True to her name, she encourages others to bloom, grow, and find their voice through art.

We were so curious about her path, so we asked her a few questions about how she discovered Ikebana, how it's shaped her life, and what she hopes to share with the world. We can't wait for you to read her insights.

 

Enter: a dialogue with Tiger Blossom

Can you tell us how you first discovered Ikebana? And why you were drawn to it ?

TB: I was drawn to Ikebana when I was going through a difficult season in my life and missed my Grandma Kyoko. She was always a comforting and steady presence in my life. She had passed a few years prior and I truly needed her. For some reason I felt I would find and feel her in studying Ikebana. I found my Sensei Yuko San and believe my grandma brought me to her.

Has your relationship with it evolved over time?

TB: My relationship with Ikebana has evolved over time into a vital practice in my life. I did not know how long I would study Ikebana, I didn't know anything about it really. I was very nervous about starting, but also very motivated. As I have been practicing for about 4 years now and attained my 1st Instructor Certification, it feels like a part of me. I want to continue for the rest of my life.

What does Ikebana mean to you on a personal level today?

TB: I find the discipline, focus, artistry and principles very comforting. It is not easy and can be frustrating at times, but it is so rewarding. I feel it is a way I honor and connect with my grandma and also develop myself.

Tiger Blossom and her Grand Mother Kyoko. Pictures Generously Shared by Tiger Blossom.

 

From Ikebana to Tiger Blossom :

When you begin an arrangement, what guides your creative process ? Intuition, structure, emotion...?

TB: Most of the time I only create Ikebana arrangements with my Sensei, so she really guides me. But within that guidance, my first goal is the foundational principles she is teaching of the Ohara School for the particular arrangement I am doing. Then the materials I am using have a strong presence in how the arrangement will look.

 Sometimes the materials are simple to use and sometimes they are very complicated. One thing I do enjoy is to do something unique in my arrangement, but within the rules. 

For a Tiger Blossom arrangement, it is a bit different. What guides my creative process is some of the compositional principles of Ikebana, but in addition, there is a bit more self expression and free form to play. I am feeling my way through the arrangement with the materials and structure to express and process my present moment.

 

Are there certain values or feelings you try to express through your arrangements？

TB: The values and feelings I try to express through my arrangements are honesty, play, individuality, the honoring each material I use and technique.

 

Do you follow a particular school or style of Ikebana, or have you developed your own interpretation over time?　（and if yes, please tell us why!）

TB: I am a student of The Ohara School of Japan. And I have developed a secondary style in Tiger Blossom that uses principles and compositional rules in Ikebana. Rules such as, asymmetry, seasonal expression, the triangular framework, line and space.

 But the rules are guides for Tiger Blossom students to learn, not required to strictly execute. Their arrangements are self expressions and not graded. I have some meditation prompts in class to help students connect with themself, the materials and the moment. The only goal for Tiger Blossom arrangements is to be honest, honor yourself and honor the moment. The reason I developed this is not totally clear. It just came from my heart. I was imagining what a happy 80 year old me would be doing and this is what I saw. And I wanted to invite people into this nourishing, creative and safe space.

When Flowers Change How We Feel

How does practicing Ikebana make you feel?

TB :Ikebana makes me feel grounded, like I am safe in a home that has been made over time with wisdom and beauty. A place I can find sound wisdom, guidance and beauty. Like I am sitting in a room with my grandma.

 

Have you noticed changes in yourself, or in your students, through engaging with this practice?

TB: The changes I have noticed in myself through my studies with the Ohara School and my Sensei Yuko is a strength growing in myself and a consistency to learn and practice that I have not felt in anything else.

The changes I have noticed in myself with Tiger Blossom is a deep joy and connection with my students, their arrangements and discoveries. The changes I have noticed in my students is a relaxation, a playfulness and a wisdom they find in themself, the materials and the cerating. And one of my favorite things is to see them proud of and in-love with their unique arrangement and simultaneously seeing the beauty in the uniqueness of everyone's arrangement.

 

In your view, do you feel like Ikebana and floral arrangement can help people reconnect with themselves or maybe also build a deeper connection with others?

TB: I most definitely believe that Ikebana and Tiger Blossom is a way to find deep connection with themself, with others and with nature. I believe there is a life and humanity healing that can be found in this space. 

Some Personal Tips

Do you have any suggestions for someone who’s new to floral arrangement or Ikebana but doesn’t know where to begin?

TB: My suggestion would be to go slow and enjoy the process.

 

Is there a mindset or atmosphere you'd recommend for creating an arrangement?

TB:I recommend not rushing, it is not about the amount of time, it is about your posture in the time. Don't rush.

 

What’s your personal favorite tool when arranging flowers, and is it different from what you would recommend to a beginner?

TB: My personal favorite tool is a quality tool. If you have a quality tool it makes ALL the difference in your experience and quality of your arrangement. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, this is very important. Scissors that cut well, a quality kenzan that holds materials strongly and doesn't tip or move makes a world of difference.

 

Would you say you have a favorite type of flower or branch you love to work with, and why?

TB: I do prefer materials with strong stems that hold their shape, but there are so many materials it is hard to choose a favorite. If I had to, I might choose mums because they are all over my Grandma's Ikebana book.

As she beautifully put it, Ikebana is "a home of discovery and refinement."

If you're ready to experience this for yourself, Tiger Blossom makes it simple with online classes you can join from anywhere in the world. To get started, just visit tigerblossomstudio.com or email contact@tigerblossomstudio.com to schedule your class.