Traditional Korean Flower Arrangement
In Korea, traditional flower arranging—Cocoji—is reflective of the Korean people’s nature and artistic aesthetic. It’s an important element of the country’s unique culture. Flower arranging was once a common hobby of Korean women; however, during the 50 years of invasion, occupation and war that occurred in that country during the first half of the 20th century, Cocoji was buried and almost forgotten. Today, regrettably, it is often practiced only by professional groups.
Through the 32 intricate yet sometimes seemingly simple floral designs that are gracefully presented on the pages of Korean Cocoji: Traditional Korean Flower Arrangement, you will learn the art of traditional Korean flower arranging, which has been kept alive by co-authors Deokwon Lee, AIFD, CFD and Heungkyoung Oh, AIFD, CFD—and their master mentor, the late Im Wha Kong. You also will discover the roots and history of this more-than-2,000-year-old art form, which commonly incorporates the use of three branches to represent the Chun-Ji-In philosophy that the heavens, the Earth and the people are all governed by a singular great power.
Cocoji is uniquely different from Japanese Ikebana and other Asian flower-arranging disciplines, and practicing its tenets will broaden your floral design perspectives and influence the evolution of your own distinctive style. This is more than just a pretty-picture book; it is a surprisingly affordable (only $14.99!) study guide to this ancient art of Korean flower arranging.
Korean Cocoji is a book you’ll love and will refer to often as you practice the design styles presented, so order your copy today at shop.wildflower.media. You might also want to stock a few copies to sell in your store, so inquire about quantity discounts.
• $14.99
• 75 pages
• Hardcover
• 32 floral designs, 10 of which offer overhead and side-view line drawings of the initial flower placements
• 7.75” x 7.75”
• ISBN 978-1-7337826-4-7
• Order at shop.wildflower.media
For what reasons did you create this book, and what is its purpose?
The floral designs in this book started from Korea’s nature. Korea is a peninsula with a 5,000-year history. Although it’s not a nation known for its natural scenery, Korea’s mountains, fields, rivers and all other nature are harmonious, like a single landscape painting. My mentor, Im Wha Kong, dedicated her life to express Korean culture and its love for nature into white porcelain through Cocoji [Korean flower arrangement]. As her pupil, I made this book to spread the beauty of Korean Cocoji, which is renown for its elegance among Asian flower arrangement disciplines.
For what audience(s) did you create this book?
This book is for professional florists as well as general flower arranging hobbyists who love flowers and are interested in knowing more about Asian culture. I wish for them to experience Korea’s distinctive beauty through our unique flower arranging discipline.
What do you hope readers will gain from this book?
Korean Cocoji is not too flashy nor does it strive to be too minimalist. It considers of great importance the harmony of the sky, earth, nature and people. As such, it is important to make the naturalness stand out without damaging it even though the work itself is artificial. I wish for readers to relive the emotions of the floral designs through the pictures, and I hope the diagrams help to do so.
