Oshibana is the Japanese art of making pictures with pressed dry flowers and plants. In Japanese, Oshibana means "pressed flowers" ( 押し花 ), dating as an art back to 16th century. According to Patricia Telesco, during the early Victorian era, as Japanese exchanges with Europe increased, the art became fashionable in both England and America.
For example, the image you see on the left is taken from the volume "Flowers of the Holy Land", assembled by Frederick Vester during the early to mid-1920's, and containing pressed-flowers from Jerusalem (credit: D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville).
The 1997 seminal work by the Japanese master presser Nobuo Sugino ( 杉野 宣雄 ), "International Pressed Flower Art Book", popularised Oshibana worldwide, ultimately leading to emergence of several international associations, and recognition of Oshibana as a unique art form. In 2013 a major international Oshibana exhibition-competition in Yokohama, founded by Nobuo Sugino, President of The International Pressed Flower Art Society, celebrated its 10th anniversary.
For example, the image you see on the left is taken from the volume "Flowers of the Holy Land", assembled by Frederick Vester during the early to mid-1920's, and containing pressed-flowers from Jerusalem (credit: D. H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville).
The 1997 seminal work by the Japanese master presser Nobuo Sugino ( 杉野 宣雄 ), "International Pressed Flower Art Book", popularised Oshibana worldwide, ultimately leading to emergence of several international associations, and recognition of Oshibana as a unique art form. In 2013 a major international Oshibana exhibition-competition in Yokohama, founded by Nobuo Sugino, President of The International Pressed Flower Art Society, celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Typically, creation of an Oshibana, a pressed floral art work, requires several time-consuming stages. It begins with selection of flowers, leaves and other plant material such as bark, branches and so on. Crucially, these components need to be picked at the right time so that their colours can be preserved in the best possible way. Drying and pressing the material is the next important phase requiring not only time but also skills and experience – skills that really set apart an apprentice from a master presser.
Once the required parts reach the preserved state, the artist can use them to create a pressed floral design, by making several sketches of the future artwork and carefully arranging the dry flowers, leaves, etc. on a mat. Often, Oshibana artwork is placed on Washi ( 和紙 ) – a special paper serving as a background. Some of Washi making factories are more than 1300 years old. |
Needless to say, the process is not as simple as it sounds, demanding multiple tries and re-arrangements, as well as critical reviews of the artistic concept.
Only when the overall image emerges from the individual "mosaic" pieces, capturing the idea of the work, the artist can contemplate the final steps: sealing the pressed flowers under a glass, taking the air out (so that the colours are preserved for centuries), and fitting the work into a matching frame. Almost every step of the process requires extreme caution and patience, as a simple mistake can seriously setback or even ruin the work. Critically, however, it is the artist's creativity that makes a great Oshibana, distinguishing it from merely good craft works or beginners' attempts. |
The following example of Natalia Kishigami's artwork (Three Gliders) shows how intricate details can be created out of different plants:
Click to view larger image (fragment).
- Pennisetum setaceum, commonly known as Fountain Grass: gliders' fur is mostly made with Fountain grass which has a rich natural palette offering varied shades;
- Lagurus ovatus commonly known as Bunnytail: lighter patches on gliders' heads, bellies and chests;
- Bottlebrush;
- Grevillea;
- Bark of rose;
- Moss;
- leaves of Eucalyptus.
Click to view larger image (fragment).