Welcome to Zen-Images, the website of Astrid Stadt, Ikebana master of the Sogetsu School of Japan.

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, originated during the 6th century in Japan with the introduction of Buddhism from China. It was the custom to place floral offerings in front of altars to honor the Buddha and the souls of the dead. Over time, these floral offerings evolved into floral arrangements designed to express the harmony between man and nature and between spirit and matter. By the 13th century, the practice of Ikebana became a form of meditation for Zen Buddhist priests. In 1927, a radical new approach to Ikebana was launched by Sofu Teshigahara, the late founder of the Sogetsu School. Teshigahara broke with rigid classical rules and emphasized the artist's freedom of expression. He said, "Ikebana is not just about sticking a flower into a vase: it is about the love and need of the artist to create beautiful forms."

Zen-Images offers fine art giclee prints of a selection of Astrid's Ikebana arrangements. All Ikebana prints are stamped with the seal Baiko, the Japanese name Astrid received when the Sogetsu School awarded her the title Sensei. Baiko means plum blossom and is a very revered flower in Japan. White to rose in color, the plum blossom appears in early February, a harbinger of spring. The Japanese admire it for its resilience against the cold of winter. Baiko is a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity.

There are three galleries of Ikebana photographs: Ikebana 1, Ikebana 2 and Ikebana 3. When you enter an Ikebana gallery, just click on an image to enlarge it. You will also find the various options for ordering Ikebana prints. Visit our Store for more information about our printing services. At the bottom of each page you will see Baiko's seal. Click on it to return to the top.