Japan Next

More Boys than Girls? Has the ratio of girls to boys reversed in Japan? This 'hobby' should be reserved for girls !

It just looks wrong. I know that's not fair but it looks wrong.

Quince blossoms are so elegant...

Ikebana is a living treasure!

It just looks wrong. I know that's not fair but it looks wrong.

Why? Because he's wearing a suit instead of a kimono?

"It just looks wrong"

Ha ha, that's because the branch is in front of his head, making it look like he's got it wrapped around his head, and he's got a pink goatee, ha ha!

Ikebana is a very cool hobby, I highly recommend it to anyone.

And even the suit does little to correct the weird head-size to shoulder-width ratio. Thunderbirds are go!(ing metrosexual)

Little to the left....splash of "oh, my god", presto!!.....kowieeeeeee. Birth rate plummets further.

Lighten up! Thousands of people do flower arrangements and balloon arrangements, its a strange photo. I should not have stereotyped, sorry humor got the best of me. That's art too. It evokes a response. As all good art does.

Whooooo, it's flowers! I like the smell, I throw them in a vase. It's not about male female or personal vent. It's natures gift. Disagree it's art, and not World Heritage worthy but that's me. It's flowers! Sorry I even commented. Now it's getting stupid. The guy is being paid to do it, that's cool. Perhaps the "Talent" tag would be worthy in this case.

Please do not make disparaging remarks about topics you do not understand.

A master artist represents Japan on an international stage with stunning creations such as this. Though hobby ikebana clubs regularly put on amateur shows world wide, nothing matches the opportunity to view this art form at this World Heritage level of mastery. What a wonderful way to thank the international community for its support of Japan during the past year. Nothing better reminds us of mono no aware than art rendered in flowers.

WRONG prunus flower color, but then it's Ohara style doing Kado.. enough said.

His work is beautiful and a tribute to both is own sensitivities as an artist and the distinct honour of being chosen to represent Japan abroad. Why aren't we commenting about that?

Mr. Ohara is the fifth head master because he has finally grown up and can take over from his aunt who became acting head of the Ohara school when Mr. Ohara's father died when he was still a child. The Ohara school has been waiting many years for him to advance to this position which originated with his great grandfather...Most heads of Ikebana schools are men with the exception being Ikenobo and Sogetsu because those head masters had no sons to take over and it is a position that is usually handed down from father to son or grandson. To bad that many think that Ikebana is only for women...I personally know many foreign men (straight men) who are members of Ikebana International and are wonderful arrangers.

Thank you for the back-story on the family history not provided by the commentary on the photo, jeankawabe.

Well, teaching is sometimes a thankless task of upholding social ideals of civilized behavior and tolerance for the differences of others. And it's not a job done in 5 minutes or even years. There's little room for running away and bawling. You hang in there and stand up for what is right.

Obviously, whether in--or in this case out of--the classroom, the fight to eradicate what is inappropriate continues. Even among adults who should know better--regardless of what kind upbringing or lack of it--they had where they grew up.

How unfortunate for Hiroki Ohara should he be pleased to learn that his photo was in Japan Today and check it out only to read the slurs against him. Think about it. It never stops hurting. It never starts being okay.