Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement (Arkana) [Paperback]

Gustie L. Herrigel (Author), R. F. C. Hull (Translator), Daisetz T. Suzuki (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Arkana | Publication Date: November 1, 1988

Ikebana, the Japanese method of flower arrangement has always been an important part of Zen. Apart from the symbolism of the arrangements there is a meditative art in achieving the right state of mind in which to do Ikebana perfectly.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Gustie L. Herrigel lived in Japan in the 1920s with her husband, Eugen Herrigel, who is regarded as the most acclaimed Western expert on Zen of his generation. D. T. Suzuki was a professor of Buddhist philosophy and is the author of numerous books, including Essays in Zen Buddhism and An Introduction to Zen Buddhism.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (November 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140190759
• ISBN-13: 978-0140190755
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,265,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, February 13, 2007

By 

M. Edwards (Sterling, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: The Classic Account of the Meaning and Symbolism of the Japanese Art of Ikebana (Paperback)

Although this book is not at all what I expected (it is what it says it is: "an account of the meaning and symbolism of Ikebana" which I somehow missed before I ordered the book), it is well written and offers excellent information. If you want a greater understanding of the art form, then this is an excellent book. If you're hoping for illustrations to go along with that understanding, then this is not it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Small Gem, July 23, 2011

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Dreamfisher (Oregon) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement: The Classic Account of the Meaning and Symbolism of the Japanese Art of Ikebana (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a gift for a friend who admires and utilizes an Asian sensibility in her decor. Before sending it to her, I read a few sections and found more understanding for myself, of the place that minimal and simplistic design elements can have on the energy of one's surroundings. It helped me to draw a similarity between what I like about abstract art and the elegant and serene feel of Ikebana arrangements.

4.0 out of 5 stars Author writes like an outsider, but has fresh observations, April 21, 2011

By 

Al L. Stone (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement (Arkana) (Paperback)

This book seems to have been written from the outside, looking in at Japanese culture.

I guess that's okay, but for the most part I felt like the author was trying to set a stage and add some drama to things that I thought were kind of mundane and common in Asian culture.

That being said, there are a few passages that actually added to my appreciation of Ikebana. I think the author made some really deep observations that I had never run in to in other books.

If you're a student of Ikebana, I suggest you get this book. It brings up concepts that we don't always get from the secular flower arrangement schools.