"Not only beautiful flowers but also buds and withered flowers have life, and each has its own beauty. By arranging flowers with reverence, one refines oneself" - Ikenobo Senno, 1542

Art in Bloom MFA May 1-3 2026

Martha Volpe and Masumi Ichikawa Naylor

represented our society with this wonderful arrangement. The MFA used a QR code next to each arrangement with the designers’ thoughts and comments. Here is what they wrote:
The initial impression we had of the ancient Buddhist votive stele was one of mystery. Looking at this artwork, one can feel the passionate prayers of the people. We were struck and a bit overwhelmed by the incredible detail of the writing, ornamentation, and sculpture carved in relief on this large work. There is so much content to take in when looking at the stone. Each section of the stele offers a huge amount of information
Because our arrangement would be displayed in this large room with high ceilings, we chose a tall, stable vase. Our main concern was choosing a vase that would be harmonious with the flowers and design.

The stele displays more of a concrete expression than an abstract one. Looking at the different sections of the stele starting from the top, we responded to the movement of the dragon in this first section. We chose to represent the dragon with curly willow branches. Interestingly, curly willow is Unryuu Yanagi in Japanese, which means “Willow of Cloud and Dragon.” The next section is the harmonious world around the Buddha and the passionate, quiet prayers of the people offering their prayers to the Buddha. We tried to imagine beyond the objects’ current color to the vivid colors that were used in this period. We were aware that these colors were reminiscent of heaven.

Therefore, the holy water that the dragon is said to have sprinkled at the time of the Buddha’s birth suggests blue or light blue flowers. In the middle, representing the Buddha and the surrounding Buddhas and celestial maidens, are large red flowers and other flowers. The orange/saffron color in the arrangement is an acknowledgement of India, where the Buddhist faith originated. In the lower part of the arrangement, large leaves and flowers represent the donors. We approached the process by working in a top-down fashion, starting with the dragons and proceeding from there. Ikenobo arrangements are usually seen as a 180-degree design with only the front facing the viewer. Here, we did a 360-degree arrangement in a free style design that can be seen from all sides. We hope the end result expresses a passionate and quiet prayer.

The Ikenobo Society of Boston has participated over the years in this wonderful event, and we are thrilled to be part of the 50th anniversary of Art in Bloom.

Mimi Santini-RittMay 15, 2026

ART IN BLOOM - BOSTON MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Thu, Apr 25,- Sun, Apr 28, 2024

Masumi Ichikawa Naylor and Rei Kameda designed this stunning arrangement inspired by the museum piece : Drum Stand in the Form of Two Birds and Two Tigers. DATE: 4TH–3RD CENTURY B.C.

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What was your first impression of the art piece?

We thought the art piece was simple and beautiful yet very mysterious. Our initial thoughts were, “What kind of meaning does this art piece have?” and “What was it made for?”

How did the art piece influence your plant material selection?

As we researched the Warring States Period, we found similar drum stands in the form of phoenixes and tigers in vivid colors. We imagined how the wooden-colored art piece originally looked and sounded when it was used in the rituals. We selected plant materials for expressing the vibrant colors that have been part of Chinese culture, the dynamism of the sacred animals, and the sound of the drum.

Why did you choose this vessel?

We needed a vessel that would enhance the vivid colors of the flowers. The vessel was desirable since its metallic texture would give a crisp feel while absorbing the colors of flower materials and the background to create a harmony of a piece.

What story do you want visitors to know about your design? This can be about your design process, how you worked as a team, or how your overall design was inspired by the artwork, etc.

The phoenixes and tigers gave us a strong yet somehow humorous and lovable impression. To work on our design, we started with expressing the interestingness and the dynamism of the animals. We decided that strelitzias, or birds of paradise, as its name states, is perfect for the phoenixes which connect our world to that of gods and the deceased. For ferocious-looking two tigers yet friendly, we selected yellow pincushions, and for the beautiful circle of the drum, a blue hydrangea.

Is there anything special you would like the museum visitors to know?

We belong to Ikenobo, a flower arrangement school established in 16th Century Japan. Despite the significant difference in the time and place, we found in the drum stand deep connections to the core spirits of ikebana, such as reverence for nature and others, which helped us arrange the flowers.