ikebana

[ ik-uh-bah-nuh; Japanese ee-ke-bah-nah ]

noun

1. the Japanese art of arranging flowers.

ikebana

/ ˌiːkəˈbɑːnə /

noun

1. the Japanese decorative art of flower arrangement

Word History and Origins

Origin of ikebana¹

First recorded in 1900–05; from Japanese, equivalent to ike(y) “to make live,” causative of ik- “live” (from unattested ika-i ) + -bana combining form of hana “flower” (earlier fana, from unattested pana )

Example Sentences

To hold her flowers in place, Leigh often uses a kenzan, an ikebana tool that resembles a spiked metal plate, or narrow vessels that provide support.

From New York Times

Celebrate autumn at the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s Fall Foliage Festival featuring guided tours, ikebana demonstrations, a scavenger hunt for kids, food trucks and plant and gift shopping 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

From Seattle Times

The same goes for Japanese flower arranging ikebana, where a single flower in a simple vase succinctly expresses the nature of Japanese aesthetics and worldview.

From Literature

This is also an ideal container for ikebana arrangements.

From Los Angeles Times

Afraid of what could be construed as evidence against them, Ruth’s father burned the ikebana books one of her older siblings had brought back from a trip to Japan.

From New York Times