Chapter
Activities
The Frankfurt Book Fair
Photo courtesy of PACE (Publishers Association for Cultural Exchange)
I k e b a n a I n t e r n a t i o n a l | Vol. 56 Issue 2, April 2012
Holiday Market Ikebana Demonstrations NEW
Atlanta #265 USA
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Issues of the I.I. Magazine were put on display last year at the International Book Fair in Frankfurt, which was held on October 12−16. The displayed magazines were available to be read, with issues given to attendees who found them of interest and who requested a copy. Also, I.I. Frankfurt Chapter #199 members exhibited ikebana arrangements at the Fair’s Japanese section, as they did the year before. These activities were recommended to us three years ago by our Honorary Advisor, Mr. Haruhiko Ishikawa. Since then, our collaboration with the Publishers Association for Cultural Exchange, Japan, has gradually expanded. This year, the fair will be held from October 10 to 14. It is also third time that Frankfurt Chapter members will be contributing ikebana arrangements. Their involvement and dedication to continue displaying ikebana is greatly appreciated and valued.
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Jenny Sterling, riji, Sogetsu School, assisted by Susan Cano, demonstrates holiday arrangements for Atlanta Prospective Chapter members and guests.
Swiss Chapters’ Botanical Garden Tour
Frankfurt & Headquarters
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Portland #47 USA
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Basel #227 Switzerland
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50th Anniversary Celebration
Atlanta
Frankfurt Book Fair logo from www.frankfurt-book-fair.com
Frankfurt #199 Germany & Headquarters collaboration
Atlanta Chapter’s November 19 meeting included a demonstration and workshop led by chapter member Jennie Sterling, riji Sogetsu School. Jennie’s demonstration included seven arrangements and focused on the holidays at hand, including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas. She also donated two arrangements as raffle items. The chapter voted to donate 25% of the fund-raising raffles and sales this year to the Japan Red Cross in continued support of earthquake victims. Members enjoyed socializing during lunch, which included a short business meeting. Then, inspired by Jennie Sterling’s demonstration, the workshop began, and members created autumn arrangements, perfect for their Thanksgiving celebrations later in the month. Jennie was able to give special attention to new ikebana artists and guests as well as offering helpful suggestions to chapter members.
Annual chrysanthemum exhibit—president Michiko Kornhauser, Ohara master and past president Phyllis Danielson, and exhibit chairman Mieko Heriford
French-speaking group Head of Orchid Collection, Dominique Rigo, explaining characteristics of species
Symphony of Flowers
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Karachi #204 Pakistan
Karachi
Portland Chapter’s anniversary celebration began with the Grand Opening Reception at our Exhibition at the Japanese Garden (September 16–18, 2011) by the head teachers of the five schools represented in Portland, Oregon, with active teachers: Ikenobo (Dr. James Skog), Ohara School (Kitty Ohara and Phyllis Danielson), Ryusei-Ha (Kathleen Birchtield for teacher Reiko Granade, who was out of town), Saga Goryu (Mrs. Wako Henjyoji and David Komeiji), and Sogetsu School (Keiko Kodachi and Don Davidson), by those past presidents able to exhibit (Ailsa Bloodworth, Judy Jensen, Deloah Brady, Dorothy Moshofsky, Dr. James Skog, Michiko Kornhauser, and Phyllis Danielson) and the only remaining charter member, Wako Henjyoji, plus an arrangement honoring our founder, Mildred Schnitzer, using one of her containers.
On November 12, 2011, it was Basel Chapter’s turn to organize what has become an annual event, bringing together the three Swiss chapters (Basel, Geneva, Zurich) of I.I., and we were fortunate to have a wonderful, golden autumn day. Basel Chapter members and their guests had lunch in a restaurant that has age-old connections with the history of Basel. At the Basel University Botanical Gardens, we divided into two groups, one German-speaking, one French-speaking, and were guided round the university’s extensive orchid collection and other interesting parts of the gardens that are usually closed to the public. Not only were we amazed to learn that there are over 25,000 known species of orchid in the world, but that the university itself possesses about 3,000 plants of 1,700 species, each type housed in an environment as close to its natural habitat as possible! After this, we proceeded to a nearby café and had tea, coffee and cake before our guests set off to catch their trains home.
Karachi Chapter held an installation ceremony and exhibition on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at the Royal Rodale Club. The evening was graced by the presence of HE Karachi Consul General of Japan Masaharu Sato. Arrays of beautiful arrangements with the theme Symphony of Flowers were displayed by
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Chapter
Activities
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Nanakorobi, Yaoki
Karachi Chapter members. Three teachers—Mrs. Perin Mooraj and Mrs. Nafisa Tapal of Sogetsu and Mrs. Safia Nusrat of Ohara—gave demonstrations, and each made three or four arrangements. Safia Nusrat made a landscape arrangement typical of Ohara style. The Sogetsu teachers demonstrated arrangements in contemporary style. The Symphony of Flowers was enjoyed by between 125 and 150 attendees. Later, there was a poetry recital by Mr. lmad Sayeed, which was highly appreciated by the audience.
Houston #12 USA
Centerpieces for Museum’s Gala Event Philadelphia #71 USA
Houston Chapter hosted a visit on October 12, 2011, to a bamboo and organic vegetable farm. The farm is about 24 acres and located an hour’s drive from Houston. David Cater started this farm in 2005 and developed it into a thriving utility research farm. Currently the farm specializes in many varieties of ornamental and edible bamboo. It was a wonderful treat, as students of ikebana, to see the bountiful showcase of bamboos. The beauty of bamboo arrangements excited our imagination during the visit. Mr. Cater’s dedication
Mr. Capdeville invited us for an exhibition in his salon in Nimes. It is not very large, but because of the many mirrors, it seemed very spacious. This exhibition occurred last year, just after the disaster that struck Japan. Next to the arrangement inspired by the Japanese proverb translated as “fall down seven times, get up eight times” (nanakorobi, yaoki), we put an empty vase, which allowed us to send €300 to the Japanese consulate for the victims in Japan. For lunch, the participants put tables on the street with red and white tablecloths. Some people thought it was a Japanese restaurant. The exhibition was such a success that it will be followed up this year.
Autumn Chrysanthemum Arrangements
Minneapolis St. Paul
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Minneapolis-St. Paul #121 USA
Preparing ikebana arrangements for the gala at the Penn U Museum. Ann Perry, Linda Southerling, and Young Mi Shim
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Philadelphia
and commitment to grow vegetables and bamboo in a healthy environment reflected in the sense of plenty and green around the farm.
Four Seasons of Chrysanthemums by Carol Lui (Ichiyo)
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Shoka Shimputai Ikenobo Workshop Columbus #84 USA
On November 18, 2011, Kishie Mitsushio, Ikenobo Senior Professor 3rd grade Katoku and her student assistant, Keiko Hidaka, Assistant Professor 2nd grade, gave a Shoka Shimputai (modern shoka) workshop. Two long-stemmed calla lilies, calla leaves, red dogwood branches, four carnations, arranged altogether in Soka Shimputai style were refreshingly beautiful. Using fresh materials with Kishie’s fascinating instruction techniques charmed all attendees. One week prior to this workshop, Kishie and her 45 students successfully completed their 15th annual Ikenobo ikebana exhibition at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Dublin, Ohio.
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Kishie’s classroom
Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter is honored to be invited each November to exhibit autumn chrysanthemum arrangements in the Bonsai Room of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visitors enjoyed the peace, warmth, and inspiration of the arrangements just when Minnesota temperatures were becoming winter-like. The event lasted from November 7 to 14, 2011, with 25 ikebana on display arranged by 25 participants, representing the Ichiyo and Sogetsu schools. Many visitors had never before seen ikebana and were delighted to discover our exhibition.
Columbus
Mr. David Cater with the members of Houston Chapter 2
Philadelphia Chapter was approached by Mary Beth Butler of the Women’s Committee at the Museum of Archaeology of the University of Pennsylvania to provide table center pieces for the opening gala of the major exhibition The Secret of the Silk Road, which ran from February 5 to June 5, 2011. The gala, held on the evening of February 9, supports the museum and its educational programs. Twenty ikebana arrangements were created by three members of Philadelphia Chapter—Ann Perry and Young Mi Shim of the Ohara School and Linda Southerling of Sogetsu. Mrs. Butler later wrote and thanked Philadelphia Chapter, stating that “Everyone raved over the arrangements.” We feel that this was a great opportunity for us to participate in our community while educating the public in the art and history of ikebana.
Fall down seven times, get up eight times: 7 white chrysanthemums (down) and 8 red flowers (up). Container was a gift to our chapter from Hokkaido Chapter members who came to Nimes in 1995
Castillon du Gard
Houston
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Field Trip to Bamboo Farm
Castillon du Gard #225 France
I k e b a n a I n t e r n a t i o n a l | Vol. 56 Issue 2, April 2012
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Ikebana in Winter
In mid-April 2011 Moscow Chapter carried out a large exhibition of ikebana titled “Flower Space,” which was backed by the Embassy of Japan and held in the exhibition hall of the Pharmaceutical Garden, the Botanic Garden of Moscow State University. For 10 days we ran a campaign entitled “1000 Cranes.” Everyone could take part in making a paper crane, symbol of hope. Every day there were free workshops for children and adults—ikebana, painting, origami, calligraphy, as well as oshibana and concerts of Japanese music. During the exhibition we collected money to help the Japanese people and were very happy that so many people took up the call. All the money
Yuko Hancock, chapter member and Ichiyo School Master, presented the first workshop of the new year on January 19, 2012, titled Ikebana in Winter. Inspired by the bare branches of winter and using a variety of materials from local trees and shrubs, Mrs. Hancock created arrangements emphasizing different kinds of branches, using only a few flowers and leaves to complete the designs. She provided useful tips on cleaning, conditioning and trimming branches. Later, chapter members selected branches from the wide assortment provided and created their own arrangements. After everyone finished, all the arrangements were on view for critique and admiration. Attendees seemed extremely pleased with the experience.
Moscow
Flower Space Moscow #256 Russia
Middle Georgia #112 USA
Ikebana Challenge
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Susie Arima and Jan Mortensen conducting sale
The October meeting of Tacoma-Olympia Chapter featured two activities. First was titled an Ikebana Challenge. Each participant brought all the materials (flowers, foliage, containers, etc.) required for an ikebana arrangement. These were placed on work tables and numbered. Participants were assigned to work stations by a random drawing. After a designated time, the arrangements were analyzed. Everyone participated in the discussion led by Chapter President Noel Wells . The focus was on the arrangements and the reactions of the providers of the materials and of the assigned arrangers. All efforts more than met expectations. The second activity consisted of a white elephant and plant sale. While the workshop was in progress, everyone was able to take time to purchase from a potpourri of items donated by members. The fund raising was successful. TacomaOlympia
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The workshop for children and adults: Ikebana master Olga Yudina (chapter president)
collected was given to the Embassy of Japan in Russia. At a reception at the embassy, our chapter was given a letter of appreciation on behalf of the ambassador.
Yuko Hancok, Ichiyo School Master, demonstrating the use of bare branches in creating winter ikebana
Taipei #105 Taiwan
Taipei Chapter held a demonstration and flower exhibition on November 7, 2011, at the Sheraton Taipei Hotel. Members who had arrived early started to take Shofukadokai head office president, Kasui Osaki, with two vicepresidents, Junsui Mori and Eisui Hashimoto, and six senior teachers presented a dynamic and wonderful demonstration.
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1. Gurgaon #255, Sea Landscape, Hema Patker 2. Sri Lanka #262, Patricia Fernando 3. Kuala Lumpur #72, Spinning Gasing, Lee Flower Design Academy 4. Birmingham #83, Contorted Willow, Tricia Hill 5. Milwaukee #22, Chiko School arrangement, Barbara Wesley
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Shofukadokai School Demonstration
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Tacoma-Olympia #147 USA
pictures of the riot of colors in the arrangements. We were very honored to have the president, Kasui Osaki, vice-presidents, Junsui Mori and Eisui Hashimoto, and senior teachers from the Shofukadokai head office in Japan, a total of nine persons, to give the demonstration. Each demonstrator presented unique and characteristic work. At the farewell party, the aura of the event lingered on and on. Though it was time to say goodbye, the ikebana interchange had been a truly unique and memorable experience.
3 an Antonio #46, YouTube video gallery S www.youtube.com/Chuluman
Chapter
Activities
New Year’s Decorations
Kobe #181 Japan
Kobe
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Christmas ornaments using dried hydrangea
The Japanese ambience of Lauritzen Gardens provides a dramatic setting for Omaha Chapter’s Fall Flower Show. On October 8 and 9, 2011, chapter members displayed eighteen arrangements using traditional fall colors against white shoji screens. Visitors were entertained by koto music, taiko drumming, martial demonstrations, and Japanese dance. On the occasion of the chapter’s 50th Anniversary, a special tree-planting ceremony was held. Wishes for the tree, presented in Japanese, were hung by children of the Japanese language classes taught by member Emiko Unno. A brief reception followed with refreshments and a slide show set to music with snapshots of our 50-year history. The day was filled with reflections on our half-century of history and hopes for another 50 years to come. We were honored to have so many members, past presidents, and guests gathered in Friendship through Flowers.
Member Anna Hutchinson stands with the children of the Japanese language classes who hung wishes on the tree.
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At San Diego Chapter’s October workshop on October 26, 2011, Sadako Oehler, Senior Ikenobo Professor, demonstrated Shoka Shinputai, an arrangement that uses only three materials. Elegantly simple, each arrangement finds a unique artistic expression by
balancing complementary and contrasting elements. There is no measurement. She created four arrangements using quite different materials. Seven members and two guests participated in the workshop. Related Arts: A card-making class was led by Patricia Schneider during the workshop, with 20 members participating. Yuko Burkett made the three lovely fall table arrangements, which were raffled off after a lunch provided by members. The flowers in Mrs. Oehler’s arrangements were also raffled off.
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Members and contributors
Paper and Ikebana
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San Diego
San Diego #119 USA
Over a period of six months in 2011, members of North Canton Chapter celebrated the chapter’s 50th anniversary. The celebration commenced in May with chapter members teaching ikebana to local high school horticulture students and culminated on October 7 and 8 with the 50th Anniversary Ikebana Exhibition held at the Canton Museum of Art, which featured 50 arrangements created by chapter members and contributors. Related activities included a Make and Take ikebana workshop for beginners, ikebana demonstrations, and tributes to four retired women who exhibited undying dedication and support of the chapter. Note
St. Petersburg FL #65 USA
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Shoka Shinputai with Three Materials
North Canton #54 USA
card packets featuring members’ ikebana arrangements were sold as a fund raiser for the chapter. Mounting the exhibitition presented an exciting challenge for our members. We discovered great joy in teaching others about ikebana and felt strongly the meaning of Friendship through Flowers.
and a new Ichiyo Teacher, then taught the workshop on how to make these scoops, which she learned from Jeanne. Everyone proudly carried their handmade scoops home.
St. Petersburg Chapter will be celebrating its 50th Exhibition in 2012 with the theme of Paper and lkebana. Program Directer Monique Noujaim wanted a program to demonstrate paper in arrangements so members could begin their Exhibition arrangement ideas. Monique is also the chair of our Art Committee and designs our playbills to accompany our programs. Anyone in our chapter may participate in decorating these playbills, and all members seem to enjoy collecting the playbills at our functions. Jeanne Houlton, our chapter’s Ichiyo teacher, opened our paper program with the history of kingyo sukui, a Japanese summer pastime of catching goldfish with a little paper scoop. Iemoto Kasuya of the Ichiyo School created the paper technique used in this demonstration. Jeanne then demonstrated the most beautiful arrangements using this paper in creative ways. Kathy LaDuke, Jeanne’s student
St. Petersburg
Members and guests were expecting to work on Christmas and New Year’s decorations at Kobe Chapter’s December 9, 2011, meeting. Four instructors, Kobe Chapter members, had been busy preparing for each workshop. (1) Keiko Kubo gave instruction on how to create bamboo vases for New Year ikebana. Beginners found it very difficult to cut the bamboo. However, the 13 participants were satisfied with the completed Japanese style vases. (2) Tazuno Yamamoto gave instruction on how to make contemporary wreaths, based on a “Christmas in Paris” theme. The 11 participants enjoyed making the black wreaths trimmed with purple-pink feathers and leaves. (3) The making of Christmas ornaments fashioned from dried hydrangea flowers was demonstrated by Ryoko Hamada. The 8 participants enjoyed arranging the flowers on red bamboo sticks. (4) Using Japanese white paper, Yumiko Nakamura offered unique arrangements. The 22 participants folded the paper and attached various charming objects. These were wonderful for hanging on the wall or setting on a table.
Omaha
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Omaha #60 USA
The Art of Ikebana: 50th Anniversary
Errata: Apologies to New York Chapter #7 for an omission in Vol. 56 Issue 1. The text should read: Members who exhibited were Anna Nakada (Ichiyo), Yuri Ishizuka, Mayumi Oishi, Paula Tam (Ikenobo), Judy Hata, Vivian Hung, Yoko Ikura, Debbie Kopinski, Masako Maenami, Shigeno Okamoto, Shizue Pleasanton, E. Maye Smith-Beauchamp, Hazue Tamura Rogers (Sogetsu), Yi-An Chou, Beverly Hashimoto (Ohara), Yasumi Shizuka (Yamato Ikenobo)
(l to r) Monique Noujaim, program chair and art committee chair holding the playbill she designed; Kathy LaDuke, Ichiyo teacher; and Jeanne Houlton, Ichiyo teacher, before Jeanne’s paper arrangement
Ikebana International Misaki Bldg. 5F, 3-28-9 Kanda Ogawamachi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0052 JAPAN ikebana@ikebanaHQ.org www.ikebana.org
North Canton
50th Anniversary and Autumn Ambience