Ikebana and music may seem like two very different worlds, but they actually have more in common than meets the eye. Both require a keen sense of creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to bring together various elements in a harmonious way. Even though there are many similarities between both, such as rhythm, patterns and harmony, perhaps the most intriguing link between music and floral design is the concept of mood and emotion. Just like how different types of music can evoke various emotions in us, flower displays and ikebana arrangements also have the ability to convey certain feelings. The expressive nature of music and Ikebana brought us the inspiration for the book Music inspires Ikebana. Inspired by the title, the era, the lyrics, the overall mood, the melodies, the tonality, the structure, rhythm and patterns of five very different pieces of classical music – in different genres and styles, from baroque to the 21st century, and from subdued and minimal to loud and energetic – ikebana artists from all over the world came up with a very interesting and refreshing mix of designs.