Ikebana is the Japanese art of arranging flowers.

It is more than 500 years old.

It still brings in traditionalists and new people.

They find it creative and calming.

Hiroyuki Okada is 40.

He started lessons about seven years ago.

Now he teaches Ikenobo.

Ikenobo is the oldest of three big ikebana schools.

He said you work with the life in the flowers.

And you come face to face with yourself.

He said he is like many people today.

They want joy, purpose, or comfort.

The Ikenobo school is in Kyoto.

It comes from Buddhism.

Now it has groups around the world.

Senko Ikenobo will be the headmaster.

She said ikebana is about the link between the creator and the flowers.

She said it helps women with work and children.

It also helps people who care for old parents.

Mayu Shimizu took lessons from Okada for about three years.

She said ikebana heals like yoga, meditation, or play.

She said her mind feels clearer.

She feels more at peace.

One old arrangement is shoka shofutai.

It uses three main parts: shin, soe, and tai.

Freer styles look more like casual Western bouquets.

They may feel easier for beginners.