At this time of year, there are an abundance of interesting fruits and vegetables at our local farmers’ market. The interesting shapes and colours often catch the eye of my daughters.
Within the Sogetsu Ikebana curriculum there are two distinctive lessons based on fruit and vegetables. In the beginner’s curriculum, students study a lesson on Morimono where they arrange vegetables or fruit on a tray, base plate, mat or even a large leaf. In the intermediate level curriculum, there is a separate lesson in which arrangements are created with vegetables or fruit in a vase.
The Sogetsu Ikebana approach to Morimono is to consider the shape, colour and structure of fruit or vegetables. By considering these elements, interesting and vibrant arrangements can be created.
Children often have a strong dislike for certain fruit and vegetables, thus Morimono arrangements are a wonderful means by which children can engage with food in a different way. Although my children enjoy eating most things, they have had a long-standing distain for bell peppers, mushrooms and cabbage.
Focussing on the colours and shapes of these most hated vegetables enabled them to interact with them on a different level. As my daughters created their side of the Morimono arrangement, I was surprised to see that each of them had chosen to arrange with the vegetables they disliked eating.