Key

• Grid: A vertical and horizontal grid system used in layout design.
• Eiko Ishioka: A renowned art director, famous for her strict requirements for visual aesthetics.
• Rikka: A form of traditional Japanese flower - arranging art, originating from the Muromachi period.
• Hana wo suru: A personalized way of expressing flower - arranging that goes beyond traditional flower - arranging styles.
• Musō Shinkoryū: One of the traditional Japanese flower - arranging schools.

Abstract

In this podcast, we interviewed the florist Hugo Akira, delving deep into her philosophy and practice of flower - arranging. Hugo Akira shared her rigorous apprenticeship experience under the art director Eiko Ishioka and how this experience shaped her unique understanding of beauty. She also elaborated on the concept of “Hana wo suru,” which is an expression that goes beyond traditional flower - arranging forms and integrates personal life and emotions into floral creation. Additionally, Hugo Akira introduced how she finds inspiration from nature and creates works while respecting the vitality of the flower materials. This podcast is not only a in - depth analysis of flower - arranging art but also a profound reflection on lifestyle and aesthetic awareness.

Insights

Hugo Akira's flower - arranging practice is not just an art form but also an attitude towards life. She emphasizes respecting nature, focusing on the inner self, and integrating personal emotions into creation, which provides us with a way to find inner peace and self - expression in the fast - paced modern society. Her experience also inspires us that true innovation often comes from a profound understanding of tradition and a unique integration of personal experiences.

Views

01 "Rigorous Training in Beauty"

Working under Eiko Ishioka was not just simple physical labor but a training in the ultimate pursuit and profound understanding of beauty.

02 "The Essence of 'Hana wo suru'"

“Hana wo suru” is not just about flower - arranging; it is an expression that integrates personal life, emotions, and flower - arranging, going beyond the boundaries of traditional flower - arranging schools.

03 "Coexisting with Nature"

In flower - arranging creation, it is crucial to respect the natural form and vitality of the flower materials, listen to the voice of the flowers, and follow the nature of the flowers.

In - depth

Florist Hugo Akira: The Artistic Flower Blooming between Tradition and Modernity

Tokyo — In a corner of the bustling city, the florist Hugo Akira has injected new vitality into traditional flower - arranging with her unique artistic perspective and creative concept. Recently, in a podcast, Hugo Akira shared her journey in flower - arranging and her profound understanding of beauty.

A Strict Teacher Produces Excellent Students: The "Hellish" Apprenticeship under Eiko Ishioka

Hugo Akira admitted that she worked under the famous art director Eiko Ishioka in her early years, which was an extremely rigorous experience. Eiko Ishioka's requirements for visual aesthetics were almost harsh. She regarded Hugo Akira as a “bamboo piece for testing a sword” and “cut” her every day, making her constantly reflect on and improve her aesthetic ability. “It was like cutting a loofah with a Japanese sword every day, being cut into pieces,” Hugo Akira recalled. “But this experience also made me deeply understand what true beauty is.”

"Hana wo suru": Free Expression beyond Forms

When talking about her flower - arranging philosophy, Hugo Akira put forward the concept of “Hana wo suru.” This is not just a flower - arranging technique but an expression that integrates personal life, emotions, and flower - arranging. “Traditional flower - arranging art has various schools and norms, but I hope to break free from these formal constraints and use flowers to express my inner world,” Hugo Akira explained. “Whether it's joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, or insights into life, they can all be conveyed through flowers.” She believes that flower - arranging is not just about skills but also about the perception of beauty and respect for nature. During the creative process, she carefully observes the shape, color, and texture of the flower materials, listens to the voice of the flowers, and follows the nature of the flowers.

Drawing Inspiration from Nature: A Lifestyle of Coexisting with Flowers

Hugo Akira's creative inspiration comes from nature. She grows flowers and plants in her backyard and also goes to the mountains and forests to find suitable materials. She emphasizes that when picking flower materials, one must obtain permission and respect the lives of the plants. “I won't pick flower materials casually. Only when I know that these flower materials can be fully utilized and add value to my creation will I take action,” Hugo Akira said. “Otherwise, it would be a waste of life.”

The Integration of Tradition and Modernity: The Future of Flower - Arranging Art

When talking about the future of flower - arranging art, Hugo Akira believes that tradition and modernity are not opposed but can be integrated and promote each other. She hopes to let more people understand flower - arranging and feel the beauty of flower - arranging through her efforts. “Flower - arranging is not just an art form but also a lifestyle,” Hugo Akira said. “Through flower - arranging, we can better understand ourselves and nature, and thus find inner peace and harmony.” Hugo Akira's flower - arranging practice provides us with a new perspective to re - examine the value of traditional culture in modern society. Her story also inspires us that while pursuing innovation, we should not forget to respect and inherit tradition.

Forward - looking Thinking

With the development of society and the improvement of people's living standards, the demand for spiritual and cultural aspects is also increasing day by day. As an art form with profound cultural heritage, flower - arranging is bound to glow with new vitality in the future. We look forward to more florists being as brave in innovation and breakthrough as Hugo Akira, injecting new vitality into the development of flower - arranging art. At the same time, we also hope that more people can enter the world of flower - arranging, feel the beauty of flower - arranging, and thus improve their aesthetic taste and cultural qualities.