Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging, traditionally taught to young women as part of their domestic "tool kit" that includes learning how to cook and to perform a proper tea ceremony.

Seventy-two-year-old Yasuko Akamine, like other women of her generation, learned Ikebana in her late teens, but in her case, this graceful, meditative form of expression thoroughly captured her heart.

Now, after a lifetime filled with the busy pursuits of motherhood and restaurant ownership (Akamine owned Sagano Japanese restaurant in the University District for 25 years), she is finally able to devote all of her time to Ikebana, having launched The Little Flower Station floral design and Ikebana classes earlier this summer.

Akamine earned her first certificate in Ikebana in 1956, before moving to the United States in 1959. She kept active with Ikebana, designing flowers for events and competitions. It was always there to "keep my spirits up as I was struggling to learn a new language and working in a restaurant to make ends meet," explains Akamine.

Ikebana is a 500-year-old art form that "allows nature and the human heart to be one," according to Akamine, who uses seasonal flowers, branches and greens from her home garden and wholesale flower markets in her designs. "You don't have to buy an expensive branch," she says, "just anything wild that is near you to bring the garden inside."

Akamine's designs follow the classically simple and unfettered form of traditional Ikebana. I watched her make four arrangements, placing Japanese maple branches, alstroemeria, nandina and Chinese lanterns just so, always mindful of the individual beauty of each plant.

Her arrangements start at $50 and can be ordered for all occasions, including weddings, birthdays and funerals. For a $4 charge, she will deliver to public locations (such as a church, hospital, school, office, etc.) within the greater Seattle/Bellevue area; however, if you want one for your private home you can arrange to pick it up at her studio in Bothell. Sample arrangements and ordering information is available on The Little Flower Station Web site.

If the discipline of Ikebana intrigues you, Akamine offers a six-week class for $139 (including flowers). Students must bring their own vases and kenzans (small metal spiky pads for holding flowers, also called frogs). Contact Akamine directly at yasuko2222@hotmail.com for information on October classes.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company

---