Author: Akemi

Photo: Sogetsu.or.jp

Sogetsu School was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara. Compared with Ikenobo and other Ikebana schools, Sogetsu is among the newest.  It emphasizes that ikebana can be enjoyed “anytime, anywhere, by anyone.”

Sogetsu School’s basic curriculum is made up with two steps. The first step is to study several styles called “kakei.” After experimenting and mastering these kakei, students move to experiment free styles with various themes. Themes include such as “movement,” “color,” and “pattern.”

Sogetsu textbooks are written both in Japanese and in English, and there are many branches or study groups worldwide. In North America alone there are 48 branches or study groups.

More than 20 years ago I came across Sogetsu. It was my first business trip back to Japan after I moved to Seattle.  I was browsing at a bookstore, not looking for a book of any particular subject, let alone about Ikebana. It still remains a mystery to me why I picked up that book, but one sentence stood out in it. “Things aren’t the same once you have ikebana in your room.”  The title of the book was The Sogetsu for Beginners.

Well, not only in my room. Things aren’t the same once I have ikebana in my life, really. How different? That’s something you have to experience yourself.  I encourage you to at least try Ikebana once!

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Unshin Ohara was first studying Ikenobo ikebana in Osaka. In 1895 he came up with a new style called Moribana, using a shallow and wider container and a kenzan. He also used many flowers that started to be imported to Japan after the country opened its doors to the western world.

With his new Moribana style and use of new western flowers, Unshin branched out from Ikenobo and established his own Ohara School in 1910.

At first many people criticized Unshin about his diversion from the traditional ikebana styles, but the public appreciated its versatility. Moribana matches Japan’s modern lifestyle, and now Ohara School has grown to having 148 chapters in Japan and 56 chapters overseas.

The first lesson that you would learn at Ohara School is called “tateru katachi” or rising form. I found a You Tube video describing this lesson, both in Japanese and in English.

Here is a video in Japanese by the headmaster Hiroki Ohara.

This video is in English.

Interested in taking Ohara ikebana lessons? Ohara School’s website lists up all the chapters outside Japan. I hope you will find one near you.

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