Pressed flower art or OSHIBANA is an ancient art form started in Japan in the 16th Century. It was created by Samurai warriors as a discipline to promote patience, concentration, and harmony with nature. It slowly gained popularity in other countries as well.
“Flowers don’t tell, they show”
– By Stephanie Skeem
The flowers and foliage are delicately handpicked from the foothills of Himalayas and skilfully pressed to be dried. These are then pasted to make colourful and exquisite motifs and designs on gifting bags, Shagun envelopes, table mats, trays, diaries etc.
Some of the ferns used by them are available only for a short period on the foothills. These have to be collected and pressed in bulk to suffice them for the whole year.
The whole process right from plucking and collecting flowers and foliage to drying and then pasting them is very tedious. But our girls are now doing it effortlessly with patience and love.