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Forest Bathing and Ikebana – Nature, Tranquility, and Japanese Aesthetics

In September, IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL Berlin hosted a special ikebana workshop centered on the concept of forest bathing. It was a wonderful opportunity to discover two Japanese-inspired practices that invite us to pause, look more closely, and become more aware of the beauty of nature.

Happy Halloween

Celebrating Halloween has become very popular in Japan in recent years, even though it does not have deep cultural roots as in Western countries. The Japanese version of Halloween differs in many ways from the celebrations in Europe or the USA and is less focused on traditional origins such as driving out ghosts or the connection to All Saints' Day.

Blue sea and yellow sea of flowers

If you are longing for warmth, the sea and a spring awakening after the dark and cold winter months here, then the time is ripe for the Côte d'Azur. After the mild winters, in spring on the Côte d'Azur nature comes to life along the coast and a variety of flowers begin to bloom to fill the landscape with color and fragrance.

One of the most notable blooms is the mimosa, which adorns the hills and valleys of the region with bright yellow flowers in February and March. Their sweet fragrance and radiant color transform the landscape into a true paradise.

First arrangement of the year

The hatsu-ike 初生け, the first arrangement of the year, which is made up of the characters hatsu 初 (the first) and 生け (Ike) from the term ikebana, stands for the first ikebana of the year. It is not just a ritual, but also celebrates new beginnings and the art of living in harmony with nature. In the spirit of hatsu-ike, kadokas create special arrangements to mark the transition into the new year. This practice is a symbolic gesture for renewal and reflects the hopes and aspirations for the coming year.

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