Application of VR to ikebana education

Abstract This study proposes a virtual reality (VR) system designed to support ikebana education. The system allows beginners to virtually prepare for and review lessons before and after working with real flowers in a classroom setting. A custom-designed flower model enables learners to perform fundamental ikebana operations including cutting, bending, and shaping curves. To accommodate ikebana learners who are unfamiliar with VR, the system features a simple and intuitive interface that uses only the trigger and grip buttons on the VR controller. Learners can repeatedly practise arranging flowers in a vase, focusing on critical elements such as stem length, balance of angles, and the correct order of placement. An automated assistance function supports learners’ self-study, particularly for arrangements composed of linear flower materials—such as stems, branches, and long leaves—which are treated sets of line segments. The system evaluates and refines learners’ arrangements based on the statistical properties of these segments.