Forbidden Flowers

Forbidden Flower might well be that elusive Great Indian Novel. It is philosophical, artistic, and even exotic with a spicy Indian flavor in spite of being played out on a global scale, touching geographical locales like Miami, London, and of course, select parts of a colourful and vibrant India. The narrative is rooted in the dramatic confrontation between Immunitis, a modern disease deadlier than AIDS, (reaching pandemic levels in the West), and Ayurved, an ancient Indian system of healing, inherited from the gods and the sages. It is also the saga of conflict between cutting edge modern science and sacred ancient wisdom. Between, momentary arrogance and enduring values. Igniting and sustaining the hope for a return to sanity through an eventful path of insane turbulence.

This Zen flower arranging book teaches the delicate art of Japanese Chabana—the precursor to ikebana. Up to now, with the exception of Okakura Kakuzo's excellent account of flowers used in the art of Chanoyu in his delightful The Book of Tea, almost nothing has been available on the subject. To my knowledge, the present volume is the only book written in English that is wholly devoted to the special form of flower arrangement called Chabana. Chabana is a type of flower arrangement that originated in the tea room . Chabana is not only for decoration, for symbolic representation, or for abstract expression of the self. 2,500years ago, Chabana has something in common with one of Shakyamuni Buddha's sermons. Buddha lightly picked a single bloom from a basketful of flowers offered to Him by one of the multitude who came to hear His sermon. Buddha slowly, silently, held up the flower before the congregation. Among the gathering was one of His disciples, Mahakasyapa, who gently smiled as he apprehended the Buddha's gesture. Chabana may not be a flower arrangement having a Zen-like mission, but it certainly is a flower arrangement appreciated by a mind nourished with the Zen principles of simplicity and directness.

The Art of Chabana is devoted to the exquisite art of Japanese flower arranging for the tea ceremony. Chabana is a simple arrangement of floral or other plant material traditionally placed in the tokonoma, or alcove, of the room in which the tea ceremony is performed. There are no rules in arranging Chabana, the author tells us, no special measurements or geometric patterns, Rather, the creator of a Chabana must use his imagination and, most of all, a special inspiration from within. The author gives practical flower arranging guidelines and discusses in length more than 100 flowers that are suitable for Chabana, explaining exactly how they can be used and the most appropriate seasons for their display. The book includes a complete list of plants with names in English, Japanese, and Latin.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1864.