ikigai
“That which makes life worth living”
THE JAPANESE CONCEPT ofIKIGAIIkigai is a Japanese concept often translated as “that which makes life worth living” — a sense of purpose grounded in daily life.
Unlike Western ideals of purpose tied to grand achievements or lofty goals, ikigai honours ongoing intention and full immersion.
Our StoryIKIGAI FLORALS was born from a wish to grow and create in harmony with the lands that sustain us.
We believe that we are a part of nature, not apart from nature, and our practices aim to reflect that. For us, growing is more than our “work”; it is our calling, a way of life, an act of reciprocity with our planet, a prayer to our ancestors and an offering for the generations to come.
It is that which makes life worth living, our “ikigai”, a reason for being.
Meet the Farmer florist
Hello! I’m Maasa (she/her), the hands and heart behind Ikigai Florals.
My connection to flowers and farming runs in the family. My mother’s side is Japanese, and our last name, “Tanaka” (田中), combines the characters “田” (ta - rice field) and “中” (naka - inside of), situating us in our relation to the land, within the land, particularly as growers. My father, who grew up in lək̓ʷəŋən territory (known today as Victoria, BC), has Scottish and French roots. He turned our small urban yard into a thriving patchwork mosaic of pollinator-friendly plants, herbs, and berries, while also nurturing bamboo and Japanese maples. I spent my childhood in this little haven, and watched my mother transform garden blooms into playful, fleeting arrangements.
That sense of wonder never left me. A decade ago, I stepped into the world of farming - not just as a career, but as a way to work in harmony with the earth. Floristry followed naturally, and I’ve since had the privilege of learning from farmers and florists who see their craft as a form of stewardship. For me, farming and floristry aren’t just about growing or arranging; they’re about reciprocity - giving back to the land as much as we take.
Every stem, every harvest, is a reminder of the cycles that keep our planet healthy. And every arrangement I create is a small act of gratitude to the earth that makes it all possible.
Our farm & Floral Studio
We are gratefully farming on the ancestral and unceded lands of the SENĆOŦEN & Hul’q’umi’num speaking peoples, known today as Salt Spring Island, BC.
Nestled in a little valley, our farm grows fresh cut flowers using no-till, regenerative practices. We aim to build healthy soil that contributes to ecosystem resilience - this means we use only organic practices, with no chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides to be found here!
From farming to floral design, we uphold practices that promote a healthy, resilient planet. Celebrating artistry is at the core of our work, and also, is at the core of what it means to be human - but we believe in more than beauty for beauty’s sake. Our work is rooted in our ancient responsibility as land stewards, and we honour our reciprocal relationship with our planet.
When it comes to sourcing blooms from outside of our farm to supplement our floral design work, we prioritize sourcing from local growers with organic and regenerative practices. We celebrate what is in season and we aim to have as minimal waste as possible. We ensure that all our designs enhance the beauty of our world by operating from values deeply embedded in a high standard of care for our environment.