Japanese Men Prune Anxieties into Art

Ikebana began in Japan's Muromachi Era about 500 years ago, blossoming among the nation's male artisans and aristocracy.<br /><br />Later, flower arrangement went middle class and co-educational, adding Western plants and flowers to the Japanese homegrown. <br /><br />Skill levels of students vary, but the relaxation provided is universal, says 45-year-old pharmaceutical firm worker Koji Takahashi.<br /><br />[Koji Takahashi, Pharmaceutical Worker]:<br />"Always when the class starts at first I feel tired from work, but as long as I begin concentrating on how to combine the flowers and the vase, and I actually move my hands to create the composition, it's a change of pace."<br /><br />Founded in 1927, the avant-garde Sogetsu school focuses on "kakei" or patterns, offering courses ranging from beginner to teacher certification.<br /><br />Master instructor Gaho Isono says men in particular are hearing the call.<br /><br />[Gaho Isono, Master Sogetsu Instructor]:<br />"I think that nowadays there's a lot of people looking for something that makes them feel relieved. There are many hobbies people can do now and there’s no longer a preconception that men cannot arrange flowers. They are free to choose whatever they like and the number of men choosing flowers is actually increasing."<br /><br />There are an estimated 3,000 ikebana schools in Japan with some 15 million enthusiasts, most of whom see flower arrangement as anything but work.