Shakamuni Buddha’s birthday is commemorated on the eighth day of the fourth month. In Japan, this celebration is called Hana Matsuri. Saga Goryu North America Chapter will offer an ikebana installation for Hana Matsuri at Portland Japanese Garden from April 8 through 11. Members and guests who pay admission can enjoy this special display in the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation Courtyard.

The theme of this year’s ikebana installation is akari, or “bright,” which was inspired by the Imperial New Year’s Poetry Reading.

His Majesty the Emperor composed the following waka poem for the event:

Watching the morning star

Shining high in the sky

I pray sincerely for

Peace in the new year

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has been translated as “living flowers” or “giving life to flowers.” It dates to the sixth century when China and Korea introduced Buddhism to Japan. Floral offerings, known as kuge, were placed on the altar of temples.

More About the Saga Goryu School of Ikebana

The Saga Goryu School, started by Emperor Saga, founder of Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto, aims to introduce visual and spiritual pleasure into daily life. To do this, the School teaches techniques of floral decoration, and the skills to recognize the delicate beauty of flowers and their artistic value. According to Saga Goryu, ikebana is more than a classical art of ancient origin to be appreciated by an exclusive group of specialists. It is an art form that is still relevant today.