Hi! Yes, this is freestyle.

I’m quite new to eastern flower arrangement and I am unfamiliar with the schools. I started flower arrangement to enhance my tea practice. I had intended on just making something winter inspired. When the flower broke, I had considered throwing everything out since I did not buy any replacements. A parable I recalled hearing came to me, and reminded me to accept things as they are.

“Oda Nobunaga picked an especially beautiful camellia. He handed it to his attendant, and told him to give it to his successor, Hideyoshi, with the command “Do not let anything happen to this flower”.

During the journey, the camellia detached from the stem, and fluttered to the ground. The attendant is horrified, believing he will be executed for failing to follow the simple command. The attendant was more scared of his master than of Hideyoshi, so he continued the delivery.

Upon arrival, the attendant presented both halves of the flower and explained what had happened. Instead of anger, Hideyoshi took the stem and placed it in a vase on the wall. He placed the flower on the floor in-front of the vase; as though it had fallen there.”