Ikebana Nageire & Seika Style - Upright Ikebana Form

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Nageire - Upright Style

Text & Images - Copyright © 2009 Kevin Hulsey

The nageire, or "thrown into" ikebana form uses a kabin, or upright vase, with flowers and twigs that are arranged vertically or horizontally with a 'spontaneous' feel. Flowers are held in place using the oridome method of resting the stem on the mouth of the container while bending the stem inside the vase, or by using the self-supporting kiridome method for thick stemmed flowers.

With nageire flowers are also held in place using a kenzan support which is also known as a "frog," or "needlepoint holder." Flowers, twigs, and bamboo are can also be held in place using florist's wire, glass marbles, rocks or pebbles, and floral foam. Branches can be supported using the yoko-waridome or "crosspiece" method, or the tate-waridome or "vertical prop" method.

Vertical 'Nageire Style' Ikebana Arrangments

The three main vertical branches are called the "shushi," and individually referred to as the shin or "truth" branch, the soe or "supporting" branch, and the hikae or "moderating" branch.

Horizontal 'Seika Style' Ikebana Arrangments

Nageire Ikebana Styles - Horizontal, Vertical, & Curved

Within the two basic forms governed by container shape, ikebana falls into six sub-forms based on the arrangement of the three lines. These forms are referred to as the curved line, geometric line, horizontal line, natural or random line, manipulated line, and vertical line arrangements.