Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
床の間のお花、本当に美しいですね。これはどちらの流派でしょうか？ — The flowers in the tokonoma alcove are truly beautiful. Which school of ikebana is this? (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N4)
You
床の間のお花、本当に美しいですね。これはどちらの流派でしょうか？
とこのまのおはな、ほんとうにうつくしいですね。これはどちらのりゅうはでしょうか？
The flowers in the tokonoma alcove are truly beautiful. Which school of ikebana is this?
Romaji: Tokonoma no ohana, hontou ni utsukushii desu ne. Kore wa dochira no ryuuha deshou ka? / Reply Romaji: A, kore wa Ikenobou desu yo. Hana o ikeru no ga shumi de…
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あ、これは池坊ですよ。花を生けるのが趣味で…
あ、これはいけのぼうですよ。はなをいけるのがしゅみで…
Oh, this is the Ikenobou school. Arranging flowers is my hobby…
Gesture & etiquette
Stand at the appropriate viewing distance (about 1.5-2 meters). Look at the arrangement with calm appreciation — slow gaze across each element. Tilt head slightly. A small bow (15 degrees) when complimenting. Never gesture toward the arrangement with a single finger — open palm if needed.
Ikebana (flower arrangement) has many schools (ryuuha) — Ikenobou (oldest, 6th century origins), Ohara, Sogetsu, etc. Asking which school shows knowledgeable curiosity rather than generic appreciation. The 'tokonoma' is the formal alcove in traditional Japanese rooms where significant art (hanging scrolls + flowers) is displayed. Avoid touching the arrangement or the alcove itself.