Chapter
Activities
I k e b a n a I n t e r n a t i o n a l | Vol. 56 Issue 1, December 2011
Children and ikebana
Despite all... the cherry blooms
Severnaya Stolitsa #263 Russia
Santiago #103 Chile
Bermuda
At the freestyle workshop on April 30, 2011, at the Surfside Beach Club, members made arrangements utilizing only green materials. The theme was, naturally, Keep It Green, and there were many varied and interesting interpretations of this theme. It is always a pleasure for members to get together with Friendship through Flowers and to see and appreciate the individual and creative artistry of each themed arrangement.
Boston Flower and Garden Show Boston #17 USA
Boston Chapter participated in the Boston Flower and Garden Show, March 16–20, 2011, at the Seaport Trade Center. Members from the Sogetsu, Ikenobo, and Ohara schools fielded numerous beautiful arrangements. A group arrangement, designed by Ans Vaatstra, chairperson of
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Boston
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Ikebana of Valeria Montanari (Sogetsu) The calligraphy says, “Loving others brings you happiness. Loving only yourself brings you unhappiness.” (inset) ticket to the event showing bush warbler and flowering ume branch
On April 17, 2011, our chapter participated in the annual spring culture festival titled Japanese Spring in St. Petersburg, sponsored by the Japanese consulate. Chapter President Galina Sergeeva’s student, our youngest ikebana arranger, 8-year-old Dmitry Persianov, participated in the demonstration and exhibition. It is now two years since Severnaya Stolitsa chapter received its charter. We have been pursuing our aim of presenting Japanese culture to St. Petersburg. This included five ikebana exhibitions: Spring (featuring iris,) Autumn (featuring chrysanthemums), Children’s Holidays of Spring (i.e., the Girls’ and Boys’ festivals), Reflections of Spring, and Spring Flower Mood. We would like to emphasize the importance of having children learn and participate in ikebana. The active support of the St. Petersburg Japanese
Consulate and the media for our children’s program has given us and our young people great encouragement. The participation in this year’s exhibition by 8-year-old Dmitry Persianov created great interest in our educational activities. We would like to express our desire that chapters in all countries support and promote ikebana study by children. Children are very talented!
Magical demonstration Melbourne #216 USA
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In March, 2011, Melbourne, FL Chapter hosted master Ichiyo instructor Yuko Hancock at our yearly demonstration. There was total silence as 150 people watched her create magic! The flowers were then donated to local nursing homes, bringing joy to many others.
Melbourne
Bermuda #180 Bermuda
263
Severnaya Stolitsa
Keep it green
Ikebana demonstration by 8-year-old Dmitry Persianov
Santiago
Santiago Chapter held a demonstration and exposition on December 2, 2010, at the Camara Chilena de la Construccion. A group of Ohara School teachers gave a dynamic demonstration before 300 attendees. Chapter President Alejandra Miura and cultural attaché of the Japanese embassy Mr. Masayuki Nishi both presented informative introductions of the art of ikebana in Chile. The demonstration arrangements were left onstage for all to admire and enjoy. In three large rooms, the exhibition of 25 Sogetsu School ikebana was beautifully arranged in a charming Japanese ambience. A cocktail party where attendees and members could circulate and meet climaxed this excellent event.
Arrangement dedicated to the victims of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake, by Joanne Caccavale
the Flower Show, was composed of a white-painted mountain laurel branch and palmetto leaves sprayed yellow-green. Ans also made a smaller, complimentary arrangement using the mountain laurel branch and dowels. Chapter President Joanne Caccavale made a floor arrangement using palm spats, oncidium orchids, gloriosa lilies, anthuriums, and red rubber tubes. She also made a piece with bamboo and all white flowers, dedicating it to the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami victims. Tomoko Tanaka gave a fabulous demonstration, and 21 members served as hostesses to answer questions during the show. Consul General Mr. Takeshi Hikihara honored us by a visit to our exhibit at the flower show.
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Chapter
Activities
Seattle #19 USA
A very free style demonstration
New Delhi #77 India
translation. This was a very free style demonstration, and the attendees asked many questions. Mrs. Shibata enjoyed giving her demonstration.
Wellington #158 New Zealand
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At Wellington Chapter’s meeting and demonstration on March 3, 2011, at the Japan Information and Cultural Center, member Erris Thomson introduced her friend Mrs. Haruko Shibata from Yokohama, who was visiting Wellington. Mrs. Shibata demonstrated the Seifu Heika School, a small school run by a teacher who supplies containers and materials to his pupils, and enjoyed using borrowed containers, greenery supplied by members, and market flowers of her choosing. We learned that the school has no particular rules, does not use kenzan, and the art of balancing the materials and flowers in the container is important. Member Satomi Takahashi assisted in
Wellington
New Delhi Chapter’s Annual Exhibition was held March 16 and 17, 2011, at the Clarion Collection (the Qutab) with the theme To the Future. This two-day event included a dinner program for members and their guests to celebrate the 45th anniversary of New Delhi Chapter. Exhibits were completed before dinner on March 16, including some near the poolside. Beautiful lighting effects on the arrangements produced a spectacular display through the course of the evening. Chapter President Saveena Gadhoke spoke on the 45-year history of New Delhi Chapter.
Haruko Shibata of the Seifu Heika School demonstrated using mahonia branches and roses
Good Things Come Wrapped in Furoshiki
Seattle
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To the future
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North Canton
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Seattle Chapter again participated in the Northwest Flower and Garden show at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Many months of planning, creative ideas forming, demonstrations confirmed, volunteers ready, a day of setup, five successful days of the show, all came to an end for another year at 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, 2011. An event of this scale works when people respond and willingly take up the challenge. We are fortunate to have so many members doing just that. Our location was different this year, involving a very different and smaller layout than in the past. Everyone adjusted to the new boundaries, and we received many positive comments from visitors about the change in area. Being in the center of the educational area seemed to attract more people. Of course, a large space is so much easier for exhibitors and allows a much more comfortable viewing area for the demonstrations, but we are grateful for being able to show and promote our art to so many. A highlight for us was hearing comments from visitors. Much interest in and appreciation of our art was very evident. The questions were exceptional, and many signed up for classes. It was a very worthwhile event, with many admirers from previous shows and a host of new fans.
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New Delhi
Northwest Flower and Garden show
The Exhibition Hall displaying floor and table arrangements, the evening of March 16
On March 17, the exhibition was opened by Mr. Hajime Hayashi, chargé d’affaires of the Japanese embassy, and his wife. Director of the Japan Foundation Mr. Endo and his wife were also present. The Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami had occurred just a week before; it was decided to dedicate the exhibition to the future and happiness of Japan and its people. The 64 beautiful arrangements of the exhibition remained open to the public through the afternoon of March 17. Two television channels and several newspapers covered the event, which was an enormous success thanks to the attention to detail of Amrita Mankad, Exhibition Chairperson, office bearers, and exhibitors.
North Canton #54 USA
On December 1, 2010, North Canton Chapter members Mieko Fujimoto and Cheryl Lundgren were invited by Cleveland Chapter to present a Japanese cultural program entitled Good Things Come Wrapped in Furoshiki. The first part of the program was a presentation of the history of furoshiki, wrapping styles, fabrics, designs and patterns and colors as reflections of season or celebratory event. Display tables and walls were decorated with many furoshiki, and 25 items were wrapped as examples. The second part of the program was an afternoon demonstration and workshop, providing attendees the opportunity to use furoshiki to wrap items such as boxes, wine bottles, balls and books. International graduate student Mariko Kozue assisted at the demonstration and workshop.
The display featuring furoshiki and items wrapped in furoshiki
I k e b a n a I n t e r n a t i o n a l | Vol. 55 Issue 3, August 2011
Ottawa Centennial #120 Canada
Ottawa Centennial
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Charlotte
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175
Kyoto Chapter’s February 2011 program was a lecture on kyogen by Mr. Yoshinobu Shigeyama, kyogen actor of the Okura School. Mr. Shigeyama gave a resume of the history of kyogen, the Noh drama stage, and the universal principles of yin-yang and the five elements (wood, fire, earth metal, water). Viewing the special and precious kyogen costumes that have been used and collected by his family for generations was a special treat. He also explained how the patterns of costumes relate to the theme of a kyogen play. Mr. Shigeyama travels throughout the world promoting traditional Japanese culture through the medium of kyogen.
A novel idea Charlotte #49 USA
Charlotte Chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary March 2 to 6 with a special exhibition at the 2011 Southern Spring Show at The Park, Charlotte, NC The theme was A Novel Idea, with members interpreting novels about Japan with their arrangements. Schools of ikebana represented were Ikenobo, Sogetsu, Ohara, and Koryu. Over 10,000 people attended the exhibition, some from surrounding states. Charlotte Chapter has participated in the annual Southern Spring Show for 49 years.
How costume patterns and designs relate to kyogen plays was explained
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Buffalo #50 USA
The chapter meeting on April 5, 2011, centered on an excellent talk on the fascinating Japanese craft of shibori by Jozef Bajus, associate professor of design at Buffalo State Collage. The slides and large selection of shibori examples made this an exciting workshop. We used our choice of methods (binding, stitching, folding, pole wrapping, etc. to prepare an approximately 11 x 58 inch (28 cm x 1 meter) white silk scarf for soaking in a soda ash bath then in indigo dye. The results were varied and lovely. Everyone was thrilled with their very own original scarf. As suggested in I.I. magazine Vol. 54, Issue 1, shibori is “great fun as well as an artistically satisfying experience for I.I. chapter workshops.” The June 7, 2011, meeting, the title East Meets West, had an excellent demonstration by a local florist, showing the influence of ikebana on Western flower arrangement. It was obvious. The many different and unusual floral materials used stimulated our creativity, leaving us eager to go to the florist’s shop on the way home and do some ikebana.
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Tea ceremony and chabana arrangements
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1. Johannesburg #110, Autumn material, Victor Reed 2. Sri Lanka #262, Blossoms of Hope: for children with cancer and for the victims of the Japan earthquake, Vathani Canagasooryam 3. Charlotte #49, Floating arrangement, Patricia Rodgers 4. Sarasota #115, Dedicated to the victims of the Japan earthquake, Gil Lee and Pat Bonarek 5. San Antonio #46, Water arrangements, Tera Kubota 6. London #6, Let’s create spring flowers, Tineke Robertson
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Ashville #74 USA
Heart of the flower
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Naples #160 USA
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On February 2, 2011, Emiko Suzuki (Ikenobo) gave a tea ceremony demonstration and discussed chabana arrangements. Several newspapers gave coverage of this event. The February 9 meeting was our annual New Member Orientation. Our March 22 meeting was a demonstration by Libby Campbell (master of the Ichiyo School) using built installations as the base for very intriguing designs. Focusing on found materials and artistic composition values, such as textured surfaces, light and shadow, color, shape, line depth and dimension, she created three very strong environments.
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Ashville
March 18 and 19, 2011, saw Naples Chapter’s annual exhibition at the Club of Naples. The theme of the show was Heart of the Flower. Participants were asked to focus on being one with the flower’s heart. The exhibition contained 71 arrangements from the Ikenobo, Sogetsu, and Ohara schools. Ongoing demonstrations took place on both days every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees and the public could purchase containers and supplies from Japan. Naples
(l to r) Exhibit co-chairman Tina Todd, Ikenobo chapter member, and Pat Rourke, Ohara instructor
Shibori talk and workshop
Kyoto #175 Japan
Buffalo
Ottowa Centennial Chapter’s annual exhibition was held February 24–27, 2011, in the Apse of the newly renovated Canadian Museum of Nature. A total of 44 exhibitors, 15 from the Ohara School and 29 from the Sogetsu School, expressed the theme of Ignite. The creative use of materials did indeed evoke the sense of smoke, fire, flames, embers, and charcoal. Approximately 400 invited guests attended the official ceremonies on February 23. The Sogetsu and Ohara schools each held two workshops for the general public on February 26 and 27. Over 5,900 visitors attended the exhibition, which was yet another wonderful celebration of the 42nd anniversary of gaining our charter and the 27th annual I.I. exhibition at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Lecture on kyogen
Kyoto
Annual exhibition: Ignite
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Chapter
Activities
Using two containers in the moribana style
Autumnn exhibition Valdivia #203 Chile
San Antonio
Ikebana by Inés Piehl.
From May 5 to 7, Valdivia Chapter held an autumn exhibition at the Austral Cultural Center. All the members and some students presented about 50 arrangements. We took advantage of the beautiful autumn colors and mossy branches. The lovely display was very much appreciated by the many visitors.
12 Arrangement using two containers, moribana style, by Ann Horton
Durham #185 Great Britain
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Durham
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The chapter workshop on March 23, 2011, was one of the four seasonal workshops held over the past year. Everyone brought their own materials, from their own gardens if possible. The arrangements reflected various aspects of ikebana.
Houston #12 USA
Yu Mei Montalvo is a former president of the Quito, Ecuador chapter of Sogetsu and is a professor at the Jonin Fanyo level. On her visits to Houston, she would teach classes in Sogetsu. Houston Chapter is now very happy to have Ms. Montalvo living and teaching here. Her demonstrations emphasize the beauty of line and mass. The following is a list of materials used in her April 5, 2011, demonstration. ❶ Dried pumpkin gourd was used as the container. The protea at the top was enhanced by dried orchid vine, which encircled the protea and reached down to the tabletop. ❷ In a tall container two branches of heliconia were inserted. One of the branches pointed down in front of the vase. Pomegranate blossoms and Ikebana International Misaki Bldg. 5F, 3-28-9 Kanda Ogawamachi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0052 JAPAN ikebana@ikebanaHQ.org www.ikebana.org
A review of ikebana basics Harrisburg #18 USA
At Harrisburg Chapter’s May 2011 meeting, Keiko Smith presented a review of ikebana basics. She began with a diagram of branch placement within the kenzan, stressing that branches may not be placed just anywhere but have specific assignments. Traditional rules are vary important. Keiko pointed out the basic triangular positions and showed how Japanese kenzans can be joined together. If necessary, heavy stems could be anchored by a kenzan placed upside down as a counterweight. Stems must always be slanted to face the sun. She stressed not to cut material all at once, but to wait until the appropriate length is determined. She showed the correct bending technique and stressed the need to use water to prevent wilting. Squinting will allow you to better assess your arrangement. In summer white stones are preferred; in winter, black. Keiko encouraged questions. We all agreed we very much needed, enjoyed, and learned from this review.
Zurich #214 Switzerland
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This year Zurich Chapter’s participation at GIARDINA, Switzerland’s biggest garden and lifestyle exhibition from March 16 to 20, 2011, was different and a big challenge. Our exhibition space was only half the size of previous years, so that we decided to present our art by showing six big installations/arrangements—therefore the theme, Inspiration —Very Big. Five of our chapter’s schools (Adachi, Ikenobo, Ohara, Sogetsu, Stuttgarter Schule) created very impressive works, showing nicely the differences between the schools. Of course not all of the 63,000 visitors to the GIARDINA visited our booth, but very many did. Again we were able to show the public what ikebana is, although the big installations did not represent the whole spectrum of our art. This was why some visitors looked in vain for our traditional small, personal arrangements and expressed the hope that next year’s exhibition will bring these back. We shall see what the next exhibition will be like; it all depends if we are invited again to participate and how big the space will be. But the main goal, to present our art to many people who normally would never encounter ikebana, was achieved!
Japanese aesthetic Montreal #155 Canada
Montreal Chapter’s monthly meeting on March 29, 2011, featured a demonstration by member Mitsugi Kikuchi of the Ohara School. He is a master of the Ohara School in North America and arranges the ikebana for the Japanese Embassy in Ottowa. He is also a noted painter. He demonstrated seven arrangements: two large ikebana, one classical ikebana, one forest landscape, a spring landscape, and two contemporary arrangements. It was a splendid demonstration, highlighting the Japanese aesthetic and sensitivity through flowers. We learned much, understanding how Mr. Kikuchi observes nature and transforms his experience into art.
155 Keiko Smith of the Sogetsu School discusses ikebana fundamentals
Montreal
Seasonal workshops
Houston
Arrangements in the Sogetsu style
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Harrisburg
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Valdivia
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San Antonio Chapter held a workshop and demonstration on March 17, 2011 at the San Antonio Garden Center. The workshop, presented by Ann Horton, focused on using two containers in the moribana style of the Ohara School. She emphasized the need to clean up the curved branch and demonstrated how to insert the branch into the kenzan and then lower it. Short materials of leaves and flowers were arranged around the base of the curved branch. A cluster of flowers and short branches of leaves were arranged in the second container. Materials included wild persimmon branches, Arizona ash branches with newly opened leaves, small white mums, wax flower and wild mustard blossoms. Beautiful arrangements were created during the workshop following Ann’s demonstation.
Inspiration—Very Big Zurich
San Antonio #46 USA
a stick were added to one side. ❸ This arrangement reflected the vivid contrasts between winter and spring. Fallen limbs were used with cherry blossom stems. A variety of spring flowers—peony, star of Bethlehem blossoms, and wax flowers—evoked the strength of the season. ❹ Cut palm fronds created a very modern look for this arrangement. Lilies and a variety of garden material enhanced the contrast. The Houston Japan Festival (April 9, 10, 2011) highlighted many ikebana schools with displays and demonstrations. This year’s emphasis was on the raising of funds to support the ongoing relief efforts in Japan.