Discover a little piece of Tokyo at Ikebana Flower.

Located in downtown Nashua, the shop, whose name literally means “living flowers,” is an oasis of calm in an otherwise bustling downtown.

“It’s quite different from your Western flower shop,” said owner Antoinette Drouart, who is a certified Ikebana Sogetsu teacher and designer. “There’s just a feeling of harmony and peace when you walk into the store.”

What’s immediately noticeable is the lack of clutter – there are no pre-made arrangements for purchase and none of the stuff often littering flower shop countertops and racks.

Ikebana Flower

95 W. Pearl St., Nashua (603) 595-8877 http://www.ikebanaflower.com/ (Site under construction)

Instead, when you walk into Ikebana, you’re greeted with soft Japanese music drifting throughout the room and an assortment of freshly cut seasonal flowers just waiting to be taken home. Drouart makes all her arrangements to order, taking great care to make each creation unique.

“Each one is individually made, so there are no two alike,” she explained. “It’s very different – we use branches and a few flowers; and the vase it’s in has a lot of meaning.”

The containers made of pottery signify earth, and those made out of glass represent ice in the winter and water in the summer.

The flowers aren’t your typical roses and baby’s breath, either: Drouart uses hyacinth, tulips, pussy willows, quince, bamboo and various leaves, to name a few.

The best part for her, she said, is “the pleasure of working with nature and the peaceful experience while working with flowers.”

Drouart learned the Ikebana craft while living in Japan, where the art of flower arrangement has been integrated into the country’s culture since the 8th century. The Japanese use flowers to commune with the spiritual side of nature, and their arrangements are meant to evoke contentment and happiness.

“It’s more like an art class,” Drouart said of Ikebana, explaining that each of her pieces is actually like a sculpture. “It’s 3-D art with living material.”

For those interested in learning Ikebana, Drouart will offer weekly two-hour classes starting Wednesday, Feb. 2.

To get you started on your journey for flower power, all you need are some clippers, a notebook, hand towel and a camera, and you’re on your way to becoming a high-class member of Japanese society.

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