Matsuda Ryusaku (b.1948, Takasago City, Hyogo, Japan) has been the head of Studio Matsuda since 1993 and is considered one of the most important and influential 'masters' of both traditional and contemporary Japanese floral art. In Japan, he is the author of several highly successful books that never fail to surprise. What drives him are the motives of a true artist: 'I've tried to discover the reasons why I create works that take both so much trouble and time and I've realised that my motives are likely to stem from my desire to spend as much time with plants as possible'. In this brand new book, his work shines next to that of one of his most talented pupils: Naoki Sasaki. Sasaki was born into a family that has served for generations as Ikebana masters to the castle of the feudal Lord of Komono. In the town of Komono, where Sasaki has his flower business, the atmosphere of the Middle Ages is still alive. Sasaki was the winner of the Golden Leaf in the 05/06 edition of the International Annual of Floral Art and now runs his own school. 150 colour illustrations