MAY - JAPANESE FLOWER CALENDAR
Iris - Shobu
The Iris is a noble flower and used in art, literature and of course Ikebana. It is the subject of one of the most famous Rimpa paintings in Japan by an artist called Korin Ogata (1658-1716), the painting is set on a pair of six fold screens, wonderful Iris paintings on a gold background that flow across the screens in fan shaped placements. This painting is a National treasure and can be found in the perfect Nezu museum in Tokyo.
The third headmaster of the Ohara school was so fascinated by the work of the Rimpa painters that he created an arrangement for the school that recreated these paintings in a container using real plant and flower material. Known as a Rimpa design these arrangements are part of the traditional work of the school.
On the fifth day of the fifth month all arrangements in Japan are done in blue iris to represent the boys day. The blue iris itself represents tall upright young men and the leaves are their swords, the swords are for courage and so when using the iris in Ikebana the leaves must be cut to sharp points. Such an important flower, the iris has its own place in the Flower Calendar.
Haiku for Iris
Irises
From which that rainbow Rises
Issa
Traditional Landscape using wild iris (artist Noella).