Would you believe me if I told you the shakuhachi-giri vessel I used here was actually part of a five-dollar bundle of bamboo kitchen tools we got at HomeGoods the other day? We needed a new wooden spatula and as soon as I saw this set I knew the container would be absolutely perfect for ikebana!
I cut some desert-willow (chitalpa) blooms from the tree in our front yard, and I absolutely love how they look together. They wilt incredibly quickly, but that only reminds me of how ephemeral ikebana truly is.
One of the great things about being in southern California is the abundance of interesting or unusual (to me) flora I have easy access to. Be prepared for lots more native plant ikebana in the near future.
Bebe Taian
CHOKO Blog
Gion Kobu