Ringing out 2018, with Hagumi style
Tuesday 18th December 2018 Japanese Narcissus is a traditionally loved material by Ikebana artists in Japan, and is used in early spring arrangements. Book 5 shows the technique of hagumi , to arrange these flowers and their lanceolate leaves. Sensei Molly Cherian took on the task of demonstrating this style using materials available locally in her garden. She explained that she was fascinated by the lily family, and the arrangements of Narcissus, and wanted to replicate the effect. Using Yucca leaves and Canna flowers from her garden she showed us the process of disassembling the inner leaves and then reassembling it in the way the artists wants it. Eleven of us watched with fascination as sensei Molly showed the removal of the hakama (sheath) and she worked with deftness in putting back the leaves in the manner in which she wished, inserting back into the hakama , before placing it in the vase. This was the first composition, with Canna and Yucca leaves, and