We learned a new style of arrangement this week in class, called Shouka Shinputai, which literally means ‘a breath of fresh air.’ The arrangement, rather than based on height and width dimensions, is based on the following: shyu (lord), you (business), and ashirai (treatment). The flowers are arranged in a row, so as to appear like they are “blowing in the wind” from the viewer’s stance. Our materials were a single rose (the lord), two arekayashi – or areca palm fronds (the business), and petite yellow orchids (the treatment), of which we were only allowed to use one stalk.
Why yes, that is a small yellow orchid peaking out behind this arrangement that just happens to be blowing in the wind of my tatami room! How kind of you to notice.
Sail Forth - Japan Chapter 