Modern Ikebana: some works of Shogo Kariyazaki

 

A few days ago I paid a visit to Yuushien, the Jaoanese garden located on a small island in the Nakaumi Lagoon that is bordered by both Shimane and Tottori.

It was a drizzly day, so I spent more time inside the buildings and the various covered areas scattered around the gardens, and so the large Ikebana displays were perhaps more noticable. I had seen similar displays on previous visits but had not paid them much mind, but these were more attention-grabbing.

For the last ten years a Shogo Kariyazaki has been installing his flower arrangements at Yuushien. I must admit I had no idea who he was, not being a particular fan of flower arranging, nor watching any Japoanese TV, but he is perhaps the most well-known "flower artist" in Japan.

Yuushien is famous for its Peonies, and almost all the Kariyazaki pieces on display featured them. They are in bloom around the garden too and also in a special Peony House.

His work is obviously bolder and brighter than I would have expected Ikebana pieces to be. He has exhibited widely outside Japan and also collaborates with artists and designers in other media. This years exhibition runs until the end of March.

A few photos of Yuushien can be found here. and some shots from the Dahlia festival last November

Yuushien

Yuushien is a Japanese garden in the middle of Daikon Island in the Nakaumi between shimane and Tottori.

This is where we went to see the peonies in bloom recently.

While the peonies were certainly the stars of the garden in May, there were other flowers in bloom too including wisteria.

Its a circuit walking garden with a few side paths to explore.

There are different flowers in bloom at different times of the year and for the fall foliage the garden is illuminated and open late.

There are buses to Daikon Island from Matsue and Sakaimoinato.

The garden is open from 8:30 to 17:30. 7 days a week and entrance is 600 yen