by Tohoku University

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

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HanaARrange, an AR system designed to support daily ikebana practice. (A) A user creates an arrangement while using HanaARrange on an AR device (Apple Vision Pro). (B) The user sees the AR interface which provides instructions overlaid on the real world. (C) A finalized ikebana arrangement using the system. Credit: Proceedings of the 2026 Designing Interactive Systems Conference (2026). DOI: 10.1145/3800645.3812940

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is an important form of Japan's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) that fosters creativity, mindfulness and aesthetic sensitivity. Also known as "Kado," or way of the flower, ikebana offers people living in metropolitan areas a way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with nature, which significantly benefits mental well-being.

However, accessibility challenges mean the number of people practicing ikebana is declining. Beginners are required to undergo a long-term apprenticeship with an experienced master and repeatedly practice inside and outside the classroom to build a sense of harmony with nature, balance and careful spatial composition. This limits people living in neighborhoods without ikebana instructors (e.g. outside Japan), leaving them unable to benefit from the psychological and spiritual benefits of this traditional art.

An AR tool for practice

To address this challenge, Tohoku University researchers in Japan have developed a new augmented reality (AR) system called HanaARrange that supports self-practice using real flowers and AI-based feedback. Unlike virtual reality systems that simulate flower arrangement digitally, HanaARrange overlays visual guidance directly onto real-world ikebana materials, simulating the real ikebana tactile experience.

Users wear an AR headset that displays flower angles, spatial structure and arrangement guidance while they practice with physical flowers and branches. The system also provides AI-supported feedback and explanations designed to encourage reflection and creativity rather than simply scoring the final arrangement.

Credit: Tohoku University

How the system was developed

"We wanted to explore how technology could support traditional cultural practices without replacing the hands-on experience and teacher-student relationship that are central to ikebana," says Dr. Xiyue Wang, who has been an ikebana student for four and a half years and is a research fellow at the Research Institute of Electrical Communication at Tohoku University. "Many people today live busy lives and find traditional arts difficult to continue, and we hope to help more people experience the tangible and cultural value of ikebana," Wang says.

Before designing the system, the research team conducted interviews with 11 ikebana students and 10 instructors to understand the challenges faced by beginners during self-practice. The most common difficulties included grasping the technique, which involves using 3D space, time and the continuous effect of the arrangement; cultural and linguistic barriers, particularly for non-Japanese participants; and financial constraints related to purchasing flowers for self-practice. These insights became the design guidelines for the support system, which utilizes augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the accessibility of ikebana.

The final design, named HanaARrange, is based on an augmented device (Apple Vision Pro) and features a help menu that provides learners with explanations at their convenience. Virtual guides demonstrate the ideal positions and angles of flowers for various ikebana styles, and users can directly reposition them within the physical arrangement. An AI-powered assistant offers answers to questions about techniques and principles based on official learning materials. Additionally, users can take notes, save photographs of their work and display reference arrangements alongside their own creations. The bilingual Japanese-English interface is designed to make ikebana more inclusive for both local and international learners.

Participants performing ikebana with HanaARrange (AR), compared with their experiences with traditional paper-based instruction (non-AR), conducted at Tohoku University. Credit: Tohoku University

Testing the learning experience

HanaARrange was evaluated in two studies, one involving beginners (Experiment 1) and one involving experienced ikebana practitioners (Experiment 2). In the first study, beginners practiced basic ikebana forms with and without the system. The results showed that AR guidance helped participants create more accurate arrangements without increasing mental effort. Importantly, users reported that the experience remained just as relaxing, mindful and connected to nature as traditional ikebana practice.

In the second study, more experienced learners used the system over multiple design iterations and provided feedback for further improvements. Their experiences highlighted the potential of AR and AI to support long-term learning, self-reflection and community engagement while respecting the role of teachers and established learning traditions.

Recognition for the research

Together, the findings suggest that technology can serve as a supportive companion for cultural learning, helping people practice independently while preserving the values that make traditional arts meaningful.

"I hope our efforts help preserve traditional cultural practices by making them more accessible to younger generations and international learners," says Professor Chia-huei Tseng, who built the international research team comprising international students and researchers from Japan, Turkey and the U.S. "We are extremely grateful to our local ikebana community in Sendai, who supported us and familiarized us with this aspect of Japanese culture."

The research received the Honorable Mention Award at the ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference and will be presented in Singapore on June 13, 2026. This honor, awarded only to the top 5% of presenters, shines a spotlight on researchers who bridge digital technology and traditional arts education while emphasizing the value of physical, hands-on learning.

More information

Xiyue Wang et al, HanaARrange: Designing an Augmented Reality Support System for Daily Ikebana Practice and Well-being, Proceedings of the 2026 Designing Interactive Systems Conference (2026). DOI: 10.1145/3800645.3812940

Key concepts

Human-centered AI interfacesAI wearables

Provided by Tohoku University

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