Oshibana is the delicate Japanese art of pressing flowers and foliage and arranging them to create beautiful compositions.
Not many hobbies are as harmonious as the Japanese art of preserving and crafting with dried, pressed blooms. This art form has been in practice for many centuries—pressing petals, buds, flowers, and leaves—to appreciate the nature around you and practice mindfulness.
You can enjoy this hobby for as long as you have access to plants—to pluck a few flowers, and leaves from. Oshibana is not a cost-prohibitive art form, it can be afforded and accessed by all. But if you are wondering how to start, follow the guide below.
Pluck your blooms soon after they blossom to secure the best colour. This is particularly important because the pigment of flowers tends to fade when pressed. Some of the best flower options for Oshibana include blooms with flat faces and a single layer of petals. For instance, pansies, violets, shrub roses, single daisies, ferns, cosmos, California poppies or any wildflower with flat faces.
Ensure your blooms are in their best condition—meaning no tears or blemishes. Do not use wet blooms or foliage because they will likely develop mould. Choose a flower with a flat bud; If it features a globe-shaped bud, cut it in half—to make it easier to press on flat surfaces.
Use a heavy book to press your flowers, leaves and buds. Place an absorbent paper (like parchment paper) between the pages of your book and the flower, allowing it to absorb the moisture released by the blooms. Based on the book’s weight, you might consider stacking more books on top to press the flower.
Use a slightly heavy material, like watercolour paper or cardstock. Ideally, the paper on which you mount the flowers and leaves—should be acid-free. You may also use soft ivory sheets to stick your creation.
You can use any adhesive or craft glue that becomes clear after drying, preferably matte. You don’t need expensive tools to secure your dried botanicals. Use a Q-tip or paintbrush to apply the glue.
Make sure your botanicals are completely dry and free of dirt. Place them on a sheet and top them with an absorbent paper, to absorb moisture. When pressing several specimens on one page, choose elements with similar thicknesses.
Wait 4 to 5 weeks for your botanicals to dry. The drying time of your specimens will be determined by their thickness and the level of humidity. If you open the book to check your pressed flowers after 3 weeks and find they are still sticking to the page, allow more drying time.
After leaving the flowers and foliage to press for nearly 4 to 5 weeks, your materials should be ready for use. Since the dried botanicals are delicate, consider using tweezers to extract them. Carefully extract flowers from the book and place them on a cardstock.
After deciding on your final floral arrangement, grab a Q-tip or fine paintbrush to apply small dots of clear glue on the back of your botanicals. Gently press to secure them on the paper.
Let the glue dry for nearly 30 minutes—at least. Next, assemble your Oshibana artwork into a picture frame and display it on your wall.
To try Oshibana, you don’t need any professional training to get started. Just head out and collect little blooms and pretty leaves, get home and press them in a book.
