Ikenobo

Ikenobō (池坊^?) is the oldest and largest school of Ikebana, or Japanese floral art in Japan.

It was founded in the 15th century by the Buddhist monk Senno. The school, currently headed by its 45th generation headmaster Ikenobō Sen'ei, is based in the Rokkaku-dō temple in Kyoto. It has hundreds of chapters around the world.

The custom of placing flowers on the altar began when Buddhism was introduced to Japan by way of emissaries to China in about 538.

The Rokkaku-dō temple in Kyoto is the site of the birth and earliest development of ikebana. The name Rokkaku refers to the hexagonal shape of the temple. Rokkaku-dō temple was founded by Prince Shōtoku in the 6th century to enshrine a Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu, the Goddess of Mercy.

Near a pond (ike) where Prince Shōtoku bathed, a small hut (bō; priest's lodge, monk's living house attached to a Buddhist temple) was built and became the home of succeeding generations of Buddhist priests. This gave rise to the name Ikenobō. In the temple grounds, one stone is called Heso-ishi. It means "bellybutton stone". It is said that it was the foundation stone of the original temple. Because this temple existed before the transfer of the national capital to Kyoto in 794, it has been claimed to be the center of Kyoto.

In the Heian period (794-1192), apart from altar offerings, the practice of enjoying flowers displayed beautifully in a vase became popular. Poems, novels and essays from that time contain many passages that describe the appreciation of flowers used in this way.

Japanese people in the early 15th century tried to give wider meaning to placing flowers in a vase. An earlier attitude of passive appreciation developed into a more deeply considered approach. This approach forms the basis of ikebana.

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