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From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

These books have helped Harsha Hinduja, Taruna Agarwal, Urvashi Thacker and Shaan Lalwani learn Bonsai curation.

Artists arrange flowers in the Ikebana style on stage at the Monozukuri/Takumi no Waza Expo in Tokyo. ( Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg)
Artists arrange flowers in the Ikebana style on stage at the Monozukuri/Takumi no Waza Expo in Tokyo. ( Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg)

From Japanese flower arrangements to applying Zen Buddhism to grow plants, these books have inspired Bonsai curators and nursery owners BloombergQuint spoke to.

Harsha Hinduja, Taruna Agarwal and Urvashi Thacker list their top reads that helped them to learn this new art form.

Harsha Hinduja

Trustee, Hinduja Foundation. She is the president of the India Friendship Bonsai Society, and vice president of Ikebana International.

(Image courtesy: Harsha Hinduja)
(Image courtesy: Harsha Hinduja)

Ikebana is more than just a floral arrangement. It creates the ‘beauty of life and the joy of living in harmony with nature’, according to Hinduja. “I relate to Bonsai and Ikebana as ‘Samudramanthan’. It makes me explore deeper and deeper into my own self.”

From waste materials, we learn to create beauty, so it teaches us the need for recycling and sustainability, she said. “It is a formidable meditation and enhances spiritual growth.”

The Imperial Bonsai Of Japan

It describes the bonsai—a thing old and yet new. The plant may be aged, but like human beings, the cells in our body go through changes daily, similarly, the trees go through changes in the shape of their trunkline, leaf structure, flowers and fruits, according to Hinduja. “So when I tend to my plant after a few weeks, there lots of physical changes. As it ages, it gets more refined (what we call mature). It also has a way of communicating which is quite inexplicable! It is an amazing feeling.”

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden
An Ikebana exhibit made from recycled materials by Harsha Hinduja. 
An Ikebana exhibit made from recycled materials by Harsha Hinduja. 
 An Ikebana arrangement made with coconuts by Harsha Hinduja.  
An Ikebana arrangement made with coconuts by Harsha Hinduja.  

Taruna Agarwal

President of Ikebana International-Mumbai chapter (branch). She has been practising Ikebana for the last 45 years. She has a jonin somu degree from Sogetsu school Japan, and has been awarded a certificate of commendation by Japanese consulate for promoting friendship between Japan and India.

(Image courtesy: Taruna Agarwal)  
(Image courtesy: Taruna Agarwal)  

A Guide To Japanese Flower Arrangement, By Norman Sparnon

“This was the first book I bought to study Ikebana. It explains the basic principles, techniques and all styles of Sogetsu school,” Agarwal said.

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

Flower Arrangement The Ikebana Way: Edited, By Dr. William C Steere

This book is edited by Dr. William C. Steere, and the ‘contents’ are given by head masters of all three schools, Ikenobo (the oldest school of Ikebana), Ohara school and Sogetsu school which is the most modern school, according to Agarwal. This book covers the origin of Ikebana, along with all basic styles of all three schools. It has beautiful illustrations. Definitely a good book for Ikebana lovers, she said.

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

Exploring Ikebana, By Ilse Beunen

This is a very interesting book. The author has explained the history and different schools of Ikebana, and different styles in different schools like Moribana, Nageire, shoka, Rikka and free styles, Agarwal said. “She has also touched upon the basic techniques and utensils required to do Ikebana.”

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

Power From Flowers, By Akane Teshigahara

This book is written by head master of Sogetsu school, Akane Teshigahara and other senior masters of Sogetsu School, Agarwal said. “This book is for advanced students.”

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

Urvashi Thacker

A bonsai artist; has been practising bonsai for over a decade. She is a trustee at Narsee Monjee Education Trust.

(Image courtesy: Urvashi Thacker)
(Image courtesy: Urvashi Thacker)

Bonsai Techniques, By John Naka

“I think it is like a bible for all the bonsai growers, because the Master goes into minute details of the art,” Thacker said.

Bonsai: Its Art, Science, History And Philosophy, By Deborah Koreshoff

This book is very informative with beautiful pictures and demonstrations, according to Thacker. “A must read for anyone who wants to make beautiful bonsais.”

Shaan Lalwani

Owner of Vriksha Nursery. He has a B.Sc in Horticulture and an M.A. in landscape management from the University of Sheffield.

(Image courtesy: Shaan Lalwani)
(Image courtesy: Shaan Lalwani)

Down To Earth: Gardening Wisdom, By Monty Don

He’s (Don’s) an absolute garden rock star and also has two shows on Netflix. This book is compiled beautifully and ‘helps gardeners from all walks of life’, according to Lalwani.

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

Plants In Garden History, By Penelope Hobhouse

How did exotic, oriental plants find their way into gardens? If you want to learn about ‘variety selection’, then this dictionary is a must read, Lalwani said.

From Bonsai To Ikebana: Books For Your Garden

Environmental Horticulture: Science And Management Of Green Landscapes, By James Hitchmough

This book reflects contemporary thinking and is supported by scientific evidence to show the role, value and application of horticulture in the landscape, according to Lalwani.