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 3, August 2012
Kindergarten Workshop
Geneva #143 Switzerland
On February 6, 2012, fifteen courageous members braved the Siberian winter cold to attend our Dried Branches and Awakening of Spring workshop. The workshop took place in one of the main rooms in the CAD (Animation Centre for Retirees). The room was surrounded by a magnificent garden covered with snow and ice. Those beautiful arrangements brought warmth and colors to the room. It was with great joy and happiness that we shared tea and cakes made by the committee members.
Wellington #158 New Zealand
Geneva Chapter President Ursula Claren-Muller introducing the February 6 workshop
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Since 2009, Severnaya Stolitsa Chapter has held an ikebana class for children during the chapter’s seasonal ikebana exhibitions. On March 17, 2012, a children’s ikebana class was held as part of the chapter’s ikebana, sumi-e, and Japanese card exhibition titled Spring Rebirth. Dima Persianov (see Chapter Activities, August, 2011), a young pupil of Galina Sergeeva, assisted this time in teaching the children’s class. She demonstrated an ikebana composition and then helped children to work with flowers and plants. Fourteen children participated with energy and much interest. Children are very talented. We are planning to start ikebana lessons for them from the autumn of this year.
Christchurch #202 New Zealand
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On March 13, 2012, Christchurch Chapter welcomed nine visitors from the Kuwahara Senkei School from Kurashiki, Japan. The group came to exhibit and demonstrate at the Japan Day event held in commemoration of the East Japan Earthquake and tsunami disaster. Their work continued with our small group, demonstrating and teaching the Kuwahara Senkei School style of ikebana. Some of our members had met these wonderful ikebana friends several years ago.
Designing with a Difference Milwaukee #22 USA
On February 8, 2012, Milwaukee Chapter held an Architectural Design workshop led by Alka Bhargava (Ichiyo). Members were instructed to use bamboo, reeds, pieces of plastic, or other materials to make a grid or support system that would be incorporated into the design, which was to have a strong architectural feel. Members appreciated and enjoyed this rather different workshop. On March 14, Laurie Wareham (Ichiyo) gave an demonstration/ workshop focused on using patterned washi or origami paper. Each participant had a full sheet to use in the arrangement. Some cut out shapes and attached them to bare branches, and some made fan shapes to insert into their designs . The use of paper in this way stimulated the creative energy of everyone present.
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Milwaukee
Severnaya Stolitsa, St. Petersburg #263 Russia
Severnaya Stolitsa
Children’s Ikebana
Japan Day Workshop Christchurch
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They had a fun time. And Nanette is in demand!! Her next lesson at the kindergarten is in August. NOTE: Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, New Zealanders were shocked and saddened. Many local Wellington primary schools made hundreds of origami cranes with sympathetic messages written on the wings. These were delivered in boxes to the Japan Information & Cultural Centre, and Nanette Kwok has been using these in many artistic ways as well as in the Children’s Workshop. Wellington
In March, 2012, chapter past president Nanette Kwok (Koryu) was asked to give a workshop by the Head Teacher of Miramar Central Kindergarten, Wellington, where her grandaughter Ruby Kwok (age 4) attends. It is a multicultural kindergarten of 40 pupils aged 3 to 5 years, who attend three times a week. Her purpose was to introduce a fun Ikebana class suitable for their age. She collected mussel shells, dried seaweed fronds, and tiny driftwood from nearby Seatoun Beach. The shells were hot-glued to CD disks to make a stable base. Oasis® for dried work was glued to the inner shell. The primary line of origami cranes was hot-glued to kebab sticks, and a selection of dried materials for the secondary and third lines was offered—zebra grass, pampas grass, purple statice flowers, tiny yellow dried daisies, and others— so the children could choose what they wished. On completing their arrangements they were delighted to take them home in the bags provided.
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Geneva
Dried Branches and Awakening of Spring Workshop
Blue washi paper was used with yellow carnations in this arrangement
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Chapter
Activities
General Meeting & Annual Picnic Sri Lanka
At Valdiva Chapter’s first monthly meeting after summer holidays, we met on March 20, 2012, at the home of Maria Rocco. Taking advantage of her garden space, we made a group arrangement, using materials Mrs. Rocco had stored in her cellar. The creative afternoon ended with a pleasant tea.
On January 24, 2012, nine members of Dubai Chapter joined in a New Year workshop at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel to create some beautiful arrangements to welcome the New Year. Afterwards, Mr. Osman, head of the waiters at the Al Bustan Hotel demonstrated for the ladies four different styles of napkin folding—star, peacock, boat, and fan. The attendees enjoyed this very much and practiced the different styles with the help of Mr. Osman. All the styles are useful for decorating our dinner tables for different occasions, with flowers as well. It was an enjoyable and useful morning.
To A Peace Culture
Dubai #221 UAE
Hiroshima #261 Japan
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Mr. Steven Leeper addressing Hiroshima Chapter about promoting a peace culture.
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The chapter meeting on March 17, 2012, featured an enlightening lecture by Mr. Steven Leeper. He is the Chairman of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, commissioned by the City of Hiroshima to manage the city’s peace programs. He gave us a very interesting lecture with the theme The Goal of Graduating from a War Culture to a Peace Culture. It was full of profound insights, giving us global and objective views on our present situation. His message gave Hiroshima Chapter hints and incentives for action to promote our activities.
Hiroshima
February 28, 2012, commenced with Sri Lanka Chapter members boarding a luxury bus in Colombo for a 90-minute journey with breakfast and fellowship. On reaching our destination, the Palms Resort Beruwala, the General Meeting was held. This was followed by a demonstration by Chapter President Shiromi Soosaipillai on morimono arrangements. Participants were divided into five groups and provided with flowers, foliage, fruits, and vegetables and were asked to collect material from the beach and create group arrangements without a kenzan and water. This was followed by further fellowship and lunch, games and dancing, and a game of bingo. The participants returned to Colombo after a sumptuous spread of tea and coffee.
New Year Workshop
Valdiva #203 Chile
Dubai
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Sri Lanka #262 Sri Lanka
Garden Works
A lively group arrangement: tree trunk rounds, lianas, stones, and sunflowers.
Valdivia
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On April 17, eleven members and two visitors met at the home of Mrs. Jimenez. Helga Allen translated the Japanese Stone Gardens article from I.I. magazine Volume 55, Issue 2 into Spanish, so that members without English fluency could appreciate what the author wrote. New ideas for our September exhibition were discussed.
Mr. Osman demonstrating styles of napkin folding. (l to r) Nobiha Kefi, Amal Horoub, Atika Huji
Los Angeles #4 USA
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The Japanese Ambassador in Sri Lanka requested the Sri Lanka Chapter of I.I. to display and place five ikebana arrangements at the venue of the reception on March 9, 2012, hosted by him in commemoration and remembrance of the victims and the devastation caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. At the organizers’ request, sober colors were used in the arrangements in specified locations. The Japanese ambassador personally thanked the chapter and was very appreciative of the creations in the reception venue.
The 2012 New Year luncheon on January 8 was a great success. A total of 54 people attended. Madame Tomomi Chishima (wife of Vice-Consul of Japan Shunsuke Chishima) was present as the honored guest. There were 10 ikebana arrangements, representing Ikenobo, Ohara, and Sogetsu schools. The luncheon started by Pearl Ahn, the president’s welcome and greetings, followed by a kampai toast led by the LA Chapter’s International Advisor Mona Lutz. After the luncheon, the immediate past president, Mihoko Akiyama, introduced each exhibitor. Mr. D.C. Palter, acting as MC, conducted a quiz game of flower-related themes, with winners receiving prizes. It was fun and exciting.
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Los Angeles
New Year Celebration: Demonstrations, Prizes, and Auction
Sogetsu School of Los Angeles presented five arrangements, using pine and bamboo, materials of traditional Japanese New Year decorations. Each was very creative and suitable for the celebration of a new beginning. Sensei Kaz Yokou Kitajima made a dynamic large arrangement to end the demonstration. The Masters’ Book of Ikebana, published in 1966 by the headmasters of Japan’s three foremost schools— Ikenobo, Ohara, Sogetsu—was auctioned off at the silent auction for $150. Centerpieces were given away to the winner of a Rock, Scissors, and Paper game at each table. This was a wonderful celebration of 2012 New Year.
(left) Sogetsu school demonstrators (l to r): Zoltan Tokes, Saeko Kujiraoka, Miyako Arao, Shoko Koizumi-Hanson, Kaz Yokou Kitajima (right) Auctioned: The Masters’ Book of Ikebana
I k e b a n a I n t e r n a t i o n a l | Vol. 56 Issue 3, August 2012
Miniature Arrangements Albuquerque
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Albuquerque #41 USA
Harrisburg #18 USA
For miniature arrangements: a perfume bottle, a sake cup, a tiny kenzan, an eyedropper, and two papier-mache background screens. (right) Miniatures by chapter member Dori Lynn.
Festival of Ikebana Creations Gurgaon #255 India
Japanese Annex arrangements
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On April 21, 2012, Gurgaon Chapter organized a festival of ikebana creations of the Ohara and Sogetsu schools at the Lagoon Club Ambience Mall, focusing on seasonal greens from farm and bazaar. The variety of fresh materials filled the environment with fragrance and beauty. Chapter President Indira Misra presented Ohara styles, with a minimal use of flowers adding touches of color to the arrangements. Ratna Guha, Riji of the Sogetsu School, concentrated on Sogetsu variations, quoting the late Sofu Teshigahara’s dictums. This battle of wits and skills between the two masters highlighted the beauty of and differences between their respective schools, since they both used the same materials, an interesting and vigorous challenge. Chapter President Indira Misra, Ohara Master
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On February 18 and 19, 2012, Kyoto Chapter held its 18th Members’ Exhibition at the Kyoto International Community House. Two exhibition spaces—the Japanese Annex and the special conference room—provided a striking contrast of Japanese and Western venues. In the Annex, members used their creative imagination with both classical and modern arrangements on the tatami floor and in the alcove. In the gorgeous, chandeliered conference room, enormous installation style arrangements were displayed before the “borrowed” scenery of Nanzen-ji temple and Higashiyama in the distance. The high ceiling and open space enabled exhibitors to make full use of height. The effect was in total contrast to the Japanese Annex. The next Members’ Exhibition will be held in the autumn of 2013, since Kyoto Chapter alternates spring and autumn with an exhibition every 18 months.
1. Tacoma-Olympia #147, fruit & vegetable morimono potpourri 2. The Netherlands #215, Christmas workshop: painted milk pack vase 3. Sarasota #115, Chabana Arrangement Gail A. Dutt
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Japanese Dance Performance
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Saitama #260 Japan
Saitama
Sheila Advani was our guest instructor for Harrisburg Chapter’s Sogetsu workshop on March 7, 2012. She began studying ikebana in 1978 and started teaching it in 1994. She now teaches four classes each week with a total of 30 full-time students. She leads other workshops as well and has exhibited internationally. She has also served as president of Washington, D.C., Chapter. We have been trying to get her to our chapter for years and finally succeeded. Using snapdragons and corkscrew willow, she demonstrated the use of intertwining material, showing the bendability and versatility of such a flexible material. We learned the proper way to bend and twist the willows. Sheila stressed the importance of mass, color, and negative space. With some materials, the base needs to be slit in order to be placed in the kenzan. It is a good exercise for working with any vines. Another of the four arrangements she did featured bear grass and willows. Intertwining means going in and out to get a real flow in the material. She showed us how to trim the excess. The third arrangement featured flax arranged in a complicated, freeform design. The Sheila Advani demonstrates the use of intertwined materials. fourth contained multiple, complex intertwinings, Sheila taught us to take off the tops and leaves of the snapdragons for better water absorption. We learned so much from Sheila.
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Gurgaon
Harrisburg
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Sogetsu Workshop
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Kyoto #175 Japan
Kyoto
This workshop/demonstration on April 4, 2012, by chapter member Agnes Franzak took participants through the basics of making miniature arrangements. Members received needed materials including a miniature perfume bottle, a sake cup, a ¾-inch (2-cm) kenzan, an eyedropper, and two background screens to enhance display. Agnes created a dozen delicate floral works of art and explained that the key to success with miniatures is to frequently check and add water to an arrangement to keep it fresh and long-lived. As with full-size ikebana arrangements, miniatures utilize
Members’ Exhibition
the symbolism of heaven, earth, and humankind. A provided handout illustrated five line constructions for participants to use in their own inspired small-scale arrangements using seasonal plants and line materials. Fun and sometimes challenging, mini-ikebana arrangements are ideal for grouping displays or individual dinner place settings and can add a fanciful touch to a windowsill, desk, or countertop. The workshop/demonstration concluded with Agnes’s critique of members’ arrangements. Photos from the April meeting are on our chapter’s Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/ii41.
Saitama Chapter’s February 3, 2012, meeting featured a lecture and Japanese dance performance. I. I. Past President Marie Kawai opened the meeting with a warm greeting. Ms. Kakinuma, Honorary Chapter Member, gave us a lecture entitled “Japan in the World.” February 3 is Setsubun, the observance in which soybeans are scattered in the house with the cry “Out with the Bad, In with the Good,” a popular custom to ensure a year of good fortune. After lunch, Ms. Sumako Ichijo, the iemoto of the Shin Ichijo school of Japanese dance performed with grace and elegance. We then had a drawing and announced the chapter’s Green Campaign.
Classical Japanese dance performance by Sumako Ichijo, iemoto of the Shin Ichijo school of Japanese dance.
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Chapter
Activities
New York #7 USA
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New York
Supporting Japan
Exhibition: Wald, Baum, Mensch (Forest, Tree, Man)
(l to r): Mme. Mamiko Hiroki, wife of Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki; New York Chapter President Hauze Tamura Rogers; Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki.
Boston
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Boston Flower and Garden Show Boston #17 USA
Indo-Japan Friendship Delhi #77 India
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H.E. Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Ambassador of Japan to India, at the lighting of the inaugural lamp.
From March 15 to18, Vienna Chapter was invited to participate in Vienna’s Museum of Ethnology’s exhibition titled Wald, Baum, Mensch (Forest, Tree, Man). At the museum's request, the chapter held it’s fourth exhibition in the columned hall of the museum. The exhibition was opened by H.E. Ambassador Shigeo Iwatani, ambassador of Japan to Austria, and Chapter President Mrs. Sachiko Schmid. Vienna Chapter proudly presented the commemorative publication Ikebana International Vienna Chapter—Die ersten 25 Jahre (“The First 25 Years”) at the opening ceremony of the exhibition as an activity in the International Year of the Forest proclaimed by United Nations. Members of our board and other writers had
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worked together to create this book on the history of ikebana in Austria to celebrate Vienna Chapter’s 25th anniversary. More than 150 people came to the opening. The theme of the exhibition was interpreted by 15 members, in addition to a central Sogetsu group arrangement based on birch trees. The 28 arrangements ranged in style from classic to modern, with representatives of the Sogetsu, Ichiyo, Misho, and Ikenobo schools. As in the past, there was great interest from the general public on all three days. On Friday and Saturday Eva Dungl did two interesting guided tours for the general public on the meaning of the “heaven-human-earth” principle in the art of ikebana. On Saturday and Sunday two introductory Sogetsu courses were held by Sachiko Schmid assisted by our members. Both were fully booked, with 15 and 14 participants showing a growing interest in Japanese culture, and ikebana in particular, among the Viennese public.
Wagashi, Japanese Sweet Confections Ottawa Centennial #120 Canada
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Ottawa Centennial Chapter’s meeting on March 1, 2012, was something rather unusual and special. Following a short potluck luncheon, Ms. Sakane Shinobu, a brilliant creator of traditional Japanese sweet confections (wagashi) held a demonstration/ workshop for 25 of our members. Japanese traditional sweets are not only delicious but beautiful to see. This turned out to be a fascinating workshop, with members being very open to learning a new skill. The energy was happy and motivated. Everyone who participated went home with a box filled with their creative confections.
Ottawa Centennial
Commemorating the 60th year of Indo-Japan Friendship, it was our endeavor to further enhance the relationship of the two countries through ikebana. The theme for this year’s exhibition held on March 23, 2012, at the India International Center was Reach for the Stars. His Excellency Mr. Akitaka Saiki, Ambassador of Japan to India, inaugurated the exhibition. After the lighting of the inaugural lamp with senior members of the committee, H.E. Mr. Saiki spent an hour viewing and appreciating each arrangement. This was followed by tea with the members. Forty members displayed arrangements, which included a large central arrangement done by Saveena Gadhok assisted by Neera Makhija and Amrita Mankad. National print media and TV covered the event, which included an interview of the ambassador and board members. The exhibition had approximately 400 visitors and was a huge success. The colorful, unique, and exotic arrangements were a feast for the eyes.
New Delhi
The Boston Flower and Garden Show was held this year March 14–18 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Boston Chapter members from the Ikenobo, Ohara, Sogetsu, Ichiyo, and Koryu schools made 33 arrangements during the two first days. Thirty-eight members served as docents during the 5 days of the show. There were one large hanging bamboo arrangement by Joanne Caccavale (Sogetsu); a floor arrangement using curly willow by Hiroko Matsuyama (Ohara). Chapter President Joanne Caccavale also made a welcome arrangement using Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry blossoms at the entrance of the show to honor the centennial of Japan’s gift of blossoming cherry trees to Gilbert Moore preparing his Washington, D.C. arrangement for the show This year we included a curriculum corner. Members of Ikenobo, Ohara, and Sogetsu schools each presented their basic arrangements as a way to educate the public, with posted information about how the arrangements were made. This special corner was very well received and appreciated. Kaye Vosburgh and Tomoko Tanaka (both Sogetsu) gave 4 two demonstrations during the show. We were honored, once again, by a visit to the show by Mr. Takeshi Hikihara, the Consul General of Japan in Boston.
Vienna #223 Austria
Presentation of the commemorative publication by Doris Wolf, Sachiko Schmid, Jorinde Ebert, and Eva Dungl
Vienna
On March 1, 2012, in order to show appreciation to the many countries that helped and supported Japan following the East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, Counsul General of Japan to New York Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki and Mme. Mamiko Hiroki hosted a reception at their residence. They requested I.I. New York Chapter to create ikebana for the reception. Four schools from our chapter were represented—Sogetsu (Judith Hata, Debbie Kopinski, Chizuko Korn, Shigeno Okamoto, Hazue Tamura Rogers); Ikenobo (Paula Tam, Noda Noritaka); Ohara (Beverly Hashimoto); Ichiyo (Anna Nakada).
(standing) Sakane Shinobu; (seated l to r) Mitsugi Kikuchi (Sub-Grand Master, Ohara School of Ikebana), Mitsuko Kawasaki, and Mona Forzley
Ikebana International Misaki Bldg. 5F, 3-28-9 Kanda Ogawamachi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0052 JAPAN ikebana@ikebanaHQ.org www.ikebana.org