Dō: On the Path to Serenity

Cultivating the symbolism and tradition of Ikebana - the art of floral vivification through arrangements -, the ground floor of Japan House São Paulo gets new colors and shapes with the arrival of the ‘DŌ - On the Path to Serenity’ exhibit, scheduled for June 29 to August 4. Held in partnership with the Ikebana Association of Brazil, the exhibition features special works, a permanent installation, and parallel programming that portray and unveil details of this philosophy, also known as Kado, - literally 'ka' (flowers) and 'do' (path).

Brought to Brazil by Japanese immigrants, the art of Ikebana is directly linked to other Japanese traditions encompassed by the DŌ philosophy, such as Chadô (Tea), Kodô (Incense), and Budô (martial arts), among others. It is said that the act of putting a flower upright when setting up an arrangement dates back to the old belief that the gods descend to Earth through this flower, which is standing. Full of symbolism that has the sky, the earth, and humanity as its main points, its harmonic composition brings together rhythm, color, and linearity in a single arrangement.

Over the centuries, this culture absorbed different influences and gained new spaces and uses that go beyond traditional rituals, giving rise to various styles of Ikebana, integrating acts that are part of the welcoming spirit of Omotenashi, such as picking the most beautiful garden flower to offer to a visitor one welcomes at home.

Curated by Erisson Thompson de Lima Junior, President of the Ikebana Association of Brazil, the exhibit seeks to disseminate the daily practice of this art, presenting ten new and different Ikebana arrangements to the visitors, always respecting the nature’s cycle of seasonality.

There will be 50 arrangements, which will be replaced weekly by the schools associated with the Ikebana Association of Brazil, in addition to a permanent installation signed by the curator. 

To delve deeper into the philosophy, a special program was prepared to include practical demonstrations of this Japanese art. It is scheduled for Tuesdays (July 9, 16, 23, and 30), at 11 am. And every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (at 4 pm and 6 pm), there will be a series of talks with experts on the topic complement the content. 

“The DŌ philosophy is essential for understanding Japan. From these exhibits we want to bring the audience closer to the different forms and poetics of this line of thought, as well as to its ancient practices, which are still alive in the contemporary Japanese society,” says Japan House São Paulo Cultural Director Natasha Barzaghi Geenen. This exhibit resumes the series started in August 2018 - with the exhibit DŌ: On the Path to Virtue - in which Japan House São Paulo presented the concepts of this philosophy in the scope of martial arts.

Special workshops were planned for children to arouse their sensitivity to this art. Kids will have classes on Ikebana with teacher Kazue Takada and will make a flower arrangement in PET bottles with her. Classes are scheduled for July 20 and 31, 2019, at 2 pm and 4:30 pm. There will be 20 openings per session, and tickets will be handed out at the cultural center’s reception an hour before the event. 

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DŌ: On the Path to Serenity
June 29 to August 4, 2019
Ground floor

Presentations on the art of Ikebana
Wednesdays - July 03, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2019
Thursdays - July 04, 11, 18, 25, and August 1, 2019
Fridays - August 5, 12, 19, 26, and August 2, 2019
Always in two sessions, at 4 pm and 6 pm
Free Attendance

Ikebana demonstrations: Assembly of arrangements
July 09, 16, 23 and 30, 2019, at 11 am
Free Attendance

Workshop: Ikebana for Children
July 20 and 31, 2019, with sessions at 2 pm and 4:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour
Attendance is free of charge
Teacher: Kazue Takada
Tickets handed out an hour before the event at the reception (20 openings per session).