Handmade Koa Wood Ikebana (Japanese Style Vase) with Bark Inclusion and Turquoise Gemstone Inlay, Wood Ikebana, Made in Hawaii

This stunning koa wood ikebana was handmade on the Island of Hawai’i from koa wood, sustainably-sourced from a local koa tree. The artist hand-carved the wood log to shape the ikebana, maintained the bark as a decorative inclusion, then added real blue-green turquoise gemstone inlay as a complementary contrast with the natural dark wood tones. This ikebana is special and unique for its raw, untouched beauty. The artist allows the natural wood itself to be the art. An Ikebana is a Japanese style vase. Ikebana is the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers. The practice, which roughly translates to “making flowers come alive,” uses carefully selected blossoms, greenery and other flora to convey a specific feeling or emotion to an observer – just as a painting or sculpture might. “Contact with nature is known to improve mental health, and even a few minutes of flower arranging can bring a calm, almost serene state of being. The simple joy of ikebana flower arranging comes from looking in nature for inspiration and new ways to experiment with putting together flowers to display at home. Part of the Japanese notion of wabi-sabi – the Buddhist belief that there is beauty in imperfection – ikebana is the very definition of a mindful activity and can be incredibly relaxing.” (91Magazine) “With a history spanning over 600 years, ikebana remains a cherished tradition in Japan, passed down from generation to generation as a way of connecting with nature and expressing creativity. This specific type of flower arranging has evolved into a highly respected art form that reflects the Japanese aesthetic and philosophy, which emphasizes simplicity, understated elegance, and a respect for nature. Ikebana is not simply about arranging flowers, but creating a harmonious relationship between the natural materials used in the arrangement and the space around them.” (Architectural Digest) The art of ikebana originated long ago in Japan, around the 6th century, when Buddhism was introduced to Japan. Buddhist monks began offering flowers on temple altars to worship and show gratitude for the beauty of nature. This practice laid the foundation for ikebana as an art form. (Sakuraco) Koa is a rare, highly cherished Hawaiian hardwood endemic to the Hawaiian islands and known as one of the most spectacular and valuable woods in the world. A protected wood because of its scarcity, koa is illegal to cut down. It can only be harvested if it falls naturally, and even then, a permit is needed to remove this sacred wood. Koa wood has a rich history in Hawaii and was used by Native Hawaiians for canoes, weapons and tools. In ancient Hawaiian days, koa was so cherished by Native Hawaiians, it was only allowed to be used by Hawaiian ali’i, or royalty, and was illegal for commoners to use, a crime punishable by death. Don’t worry, this law has changed, and anyone can use koa wood, but it is still considered one of the most valuable, beautiful and strong woods in world. 9.5 inches long x 4 inches wide x 1.5 inches tall To use this ikebana (Japanese style vase), simply stick the flowers and foliage in the spikes of the flower frog base in the center of the ikebana, then add water. May this ikebana bring much joy, serenity, beauty, gratitude and aloha to your home. Mahalo for your support of our artwork and small business. (Last photo is a different ikebana, just wanted to demonstrate what the ikebana look like with flowers)