Ikebana arranged as to express peace. All gifts of flowers must be in bud, so that the person to whom they are sent may have the pleasure of seeing them openquite a contrast to the present Western idea of everything being forced to perfection before leaving the florist. The spiritual aspect of "kadō" is considered very important to its practitioners. Some practitioners feel silence is needed while making "ikebana" while others feel this is not necessary. It is a time to appreciate things in nature that people often overlook because of their busy lives. It is believed that one becomes more
Ikebana equal balance, which are actually seldom found in nature, and which from the Japanese standpoint are never attractive in art of any description. More than simply putting flowers in a container, "ikebana" is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Contrary to the idea of a particolored or multicolored arrangement of blossoms, "ikebana" often emphasizes other areas of the plant, such as its stems and leaves, and puts emphasis on shape, line, and form. Though "ikebana" is an expression of creativity, certain rules govern its form. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through