Ikebana: An Ancient Tradition of Contemporary Healing and Artful Practice

Author

Jennifer K. Fortuna PhD, OTR/L, Grand Valley State UniversityFollow

Files

Description

Dr. Ricardo Carrásco, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, occupational therapy professor and ikebana artist, provided the cover art for the Summer 2021 edition of The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of arranging flowers. “Kanta of the Wind, Sun and Moon” is an ikebana design made from blue and white Phalaenopsis orchids, chrysanthemum, bear grass and heirloom driftwood. This gendaika, or freestyle design is a haiku tribute to the wind, sun and moon. Dr. Carrásco has been practicing occupational therapy and ikebana for more than five decades. As an occupational scientist and therapist, he has experience working in pediatric, academic, research, mental health and wellness practice settings. Dr. Carrásco currently serves as headmaster of the Banmi Shofu Ryu school of ikebana. His story is shared from a sense of duty and obligation to preserve this ancient tradition of contemporary healing and artful practice.

Keywords

Occupation, Occupational Therapy, Ikebana, Japanese, Art, Flower Arranging, Ricardo Carrásco

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy

Recommended Citation

Fortuna, Jennifer K. PhD, OTR/L, "Ikebana: An Ancient Tradition of Contemporary Healing and Artful Practice" (2021). Open Journal of Occupational Therapy: Occupation and the Artist. 35.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ojot_occupationandartist/35

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