My first online Ikebana class was held last Saturday morning with 12 people connected. Many thanks to those of you who volunteered to be my Guinea pigs. Despite some glitches here and there, the class was successfully held, and I got a go sign from the students. My Ikebana class go online starting June. Here …
I’m nervous. My first online ikebana class is happening in two days. Under the current stay-at-home order, obviously it’s not possible to hold a normal class. But when exactly will we be able to resume one? As soon as the order is lifted? Unlikely. You wouldn’t feel safe sitting close to each other during the …
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 …