Generally known today
as ikebana, from ikeru ("keep alive") and hana ("flowers"); also called kadô, "the way of flowers".
Japanese flower arrangement had its origin in early Buddhist flower
offerings - kûge - and
developed into a distinctive art form from
the 15th century, with many styles and schools. The attention given
to the choice of plant material and container, the placement of the
branches, and the relationship of the branches to the container and
surrounding space distinguished this art from purely decorative flowers.