In the late 16th century a more complex and complicated system of arrangement was developed. Originally known as "Tatehana", Rikka style was established as the most formal style of Ikebana arrangement by the Ikenobo school.

Rikka was mainly used for ceremonial occasions. The less formal Nageire style, which did not require complicated rules, represented the natural beauty of flowers. This style was preferred by the majority of ordinary people. This evolved into a new style of flower arrangement, called Shoka style, although it took long time to develop.

Many other schools of Ikebana started to appear during this, the Edo period (1603-1868). In 1820, Ikenobo Senjyo established the orthodox Shoka style. He wrote "Soka Hyakki" ("Hundred principles of Flower Arrangement") and edited another founding work, "Heika Yodo-shu" (Instructions on Classic Flower Arrangement).

During the Meiji period (1868-1912) Ikenobo styles were perceived as too staid and conservative. The Meiji Restoration (1868) brought the influences of western culture and this helped the modernization of Japanese flower arranging. Many masters of Ikenobo School tried to tackle this constricting conservatism of traditional flower arrangements.

This resulted in more modern styles of arrangement such as modern Nageire, Moribana, modern Shoka and Rikka being introduced, largely in the Taisho period (1912-1926).

Following World War II, Japan was again greatly influenced by western styles. This brought great changes to Japanese life styles, for example, Tokonoma are rarely seen in modern appartments.

Ikebana has since become regarded by many as art form. This has inspired more freedom and resulted in the birth of free style of Ikebana.

It is said that in Japan, there are about 3,000 (and growing) different schools of Ikebana currently in existence. However, Ikenobo School has the inherited traditions of the earliest Ikebana masters and continues to develop traditional and modern styles of Ikebana.