Banmi Shōfū-ryū
School of ikebana / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Banmi Shōfū-ryū (晩美生風流) is a school of Ikebana, an ancient Japanese art form that involves arranging flowers for spiritual purposes.[1] Ikebana accompanied Buddhism's arrival in Japan in the 6th century and evolved from a Buddhist ritual. This ritual, which started in India, consisted of throwing “floral offerings” to the spirits of those who had passed.[1] By the 10th century, containers were used for the floral offerings, slowly representing the development of Ikebana. Kado, which means “way of the flower,” is used in Ikebana practice and began to spread into more of an aesthetic than a spiritual representation during this time.[2] By the 15th century, Ikebana embodied what it is known for today, an art form with a spiritual foundation.[1] Ikebana is a way to connect with the flowers through active meditation, producing calmness and concentration for those who engage in this complex and expressional art.[1] Ikebana has also been shown to have calming physiological effects on both creators and viewers of the art.[3][4]
Banmi Shofu Ryu, like all schools, originated from the first school of Ikebana.[1] Bessie Yoneko Banmi Fooks, 1st Generation Headmaster and creator of Banmi Shofu Ryu, received her title in 1962 through the effortless and natural forms her Ikebana creations when she resided in Japan.[1] Frequent visits to Kaohsiung Taiwan allowed Fooks to continue her studies and eventually earn her professor's certificate and authorization for the establishment of Banmi Shofu Ryu.[1] Fooks began her teachings in Tainan, Taiwan and continued to exhibit and demonstrate her works in several countries around the world for over 50 years. Fooks characteristically used driftwood to connect her floral arrangements with their living spirit.[1] In Banmi Shofu Ryu, driftwood is the essence of the Ikebana creations.[1]
Before her passing, Fooks formed a flower relationship with Dr. Ricardo Bansho Carrasco and later named him 2nd Generation Headmaster (Iemoto) of Banmi Shofu Ryu.[1] Bansho Ric-sensei implemented a 5-year plan for the formalization of his shared vision with Fooks, which until then had remained un-communicated to the community and only to the Fooks family In Japan and Hawaii.[1] Formalization of Banmi Shofu Ryu included publication of books: Driftwood & Flowers, Telling Stories through Flowers, Banmi Shofu Ryu: From Samurai Beginnings to Contemporary Designs, and Banmi Shofu Ryu Kaden. A brochure and website were also published and several workshops, demonstrations, and exhibitions commenced.[1]
The vision created by Bessie Banmi-sensei Fooks and Bansho Ric-sensei Carrasco viewed Banmi flowers, kado. In 1996, the curriculum was refined based on a Japanese manual of flower arrangement. Passed down by Bansui Ohta; this curriculum is now used as the basis for Banmi Shofu Ryu teaching.[1] The overall purpose of this school is to demonstrate the art of Ikebana and to find new talent to promote and pass down the traditions of this fine art.[1]