flowerscan  ·  field notes no. 1 toronto  ·  july 5, 2026

ikebana 101

hold low, tilt slow. the kenzan does the rest.
ike · 101  ✿  admit one

Moribana ("piled-up flowers") is the classic first style of Ikebana: stems arranged on a kenzan in a shallow vessel.

Kenzan (also known as a floral frog) is the bed of brass needles that holds each stem in place.

§1 How to Stabilize Regular Stems

Soft stems go in easily. The trick is in the tilt.
1. Cut straight
2. Push to base
3. Tilt from bottom
4. Fixed & happy
  1. Soft stems: cut straight across; they slip between the needles.
  2. Insert firmly, all the way to the base.
  3. For an angle: insert straight first, then tilt gradually, holding the very bottom.
  4. Never tilt from the middle. That is how stems snap.

§2 How to Stabilize Branches

Woody and stubborn. Meet them with a sharper cut.
1. Cut diagonal
2. Two hands, deep
3. do Seated at base ✓
4. don't Tip only ✗
  1. Branches are hard: cut the end on a diagonal so it wedges in.
  2. Hold with both hands and drive it deep. Shallow branches wander.
  3. Seat it at the base first, then tilt from the bottom, same as a stem.
  4. Once angled, keep the bark on the leaning side.

§3 Measuring Tall, Middle, Short

Measure twice, cut once. Stems only get shorter.
Diameter Height D + H = "vessel size" Tall Middle Short
Vessel size = diameter + height
Tall  =  vessel size × 1.5 to 2
Middle  =  3/4 of Tall
Short  =  1/2 to 3/4 of Middle

§4 Basic Moribana, Two Views

Angles measured from upright.
0° Tall 15° Middle 45° Short 75° Leave this space open Front view
Tall Middle Short Front Top view
  • Kenzan sits in the lower left of the vessel; the arrangement leans left, leaving the right open.
  • Tall stands nearly upright, about 15°, toward the front left.
  • Middle reaches out at 45°, same side.
  • Short drops low at 75°, front right.
  • From above, the three tips fan apart, never one line.