When Japanese speaks of the art of flower arrangement he/she merely says 'Obana'. This means quite simply 'flower'. The letter 'O' expresses special reference.
The word that was used to signify flower arrangements was Sho-ka which can also be read as 'Sei-ka'. The same two ideograms include still a third possible pronunciation i.e. Ikebana. This word come into effect in the 18th century as the designation for the Japanese art of flower arrangement. When the Japanese here the word Ikebana they think first of the flower compositions found in every apartment, in offices & restaurants. They feel Ikebana to be an integral part of life.
The word ikebana is divided into two sections ike & bana which in this compound is pronounced bana which means literally flower. The word ike is derived from 3 verbs: ikem - to place or arrange plants ikim - to live, to be alive, to Grrive at one's true essence. Ikasn- to put in the best light, to help to arrive at it's essence, to make life clearer.
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