Stuck at home in this lockdown period, I just found this rare movie about Sogetsu School and its founder, Sofu Teshigahara. As I mentioned in my previous post Sogetsu School: Anytime, anywhere, by anyone, Sogetsu is one of the major Ikebana schools in Japan. If you are studying Sogetsu ikebana, this movie is a must …
Hello again. The world has changed so much since I last posted a blog. I really hope you are safe. I stopped writing my blog because I got so busy preparing for one event that occurred on February 27. And soon after the event was over, this “coronavirus” arrived. It took me another month or …
Almost all the leaves are fallen from the deciduous trees. Flowers with bright colors are gone. My garden looks so bare. But wait! Is there really nothing to be enjoyed now? A small bush of Japanese beautyberry has still clusters of little purple fruits on the branch. And flower petals of lacey hydrangea have turned …
What is exactly the difference between modern and traditional in Ikebana? This question comes up to me once in a while. Is it the design? But quite often I find so called “traditional” designs very modern. Its simplicity, boldness and elegance… Is it the shape and color of the container? Could be. In old days, …
When I saw this object at Kyoto Art and Antiques warehouse sale, the tag attached to it said “Sake Bottle.” Why would you need such an elegant design for a mere container for sake, I wondered. I had no interest in storing any alcohol, but I bought the bottle anyway. I was patiently waiting for …
When I demonstrated Ikebana arrangements in front the audience at Seattle Art Museum last year, I compared Ikebana to jazz music. When I had an opportunity to be a part of demonstrators under Ms. Koka Fukushima, the Sogetsu master from Tokyo, at Ikebana International Seattle Chapter’s 60th celebration, my experience has expanded further: A live …
photo by: Chukyo Ozawa If you have never taken any Ikebana lesson before, what would you imagine Ikebana is? If you have taken an Ikebana lesson, what do you remember about Ikebana? The upcoming Ikebana demonstration by Ms Koka Fukushima, I’m sure, will blow you away! I had a chance to see her work at the …
Photo: courtesy of Brian Chu Photography Senses from Japan – Spring 2019 is now over. For those of you who came, thank you very much much! And many thanks to my dear friends at Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association who volunteered for the event. It was surely exhausting, setting up the venue, bringing all the …