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Where You Can Enjoy Ikebana in Seattle This Week

At the Washington State Convention Center!

 “The Northwest Flower & Garden Show has been heralding the start of spring since 1989, as gardening enthusiasts from around the Northwest flock to this annual celebration held in the beautiful Washington State Convention Center for five magical days.”

According to Wikipedia, the show attracts 60,000 to 65,000 people each year and is the second largest flower and garden trade show only after the one in Philadelphia. This year the show will be held from February 7 (Wed) through 11 (Sun).

Ever since I can remember, Ikebana International Seattle Chapter #19i has been invited to participate in the show.  This year the beautiful Ikebana arrangements will be displayed near the entrance to the seminar rooms. Many people who come to this show look forward to appreciating the Ikebana displays. Situated on the different floor from the market place booths, it’s quieter and will give you a nice break between the gardening-shopping spree.

The photo was taken at the show last year.  Why don’t you take one with your own phone (or camera?) this year!

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Misho School: Pursuing the Beauty of Geometry

Misho School (未生流) was founded in 1807 by Ippo Mishosai in Osaka. It is believed that the founder chose Osaka, not Edo (Tokyo’s old name) which was the political center, because he wanted to be free from authoritative powers.

Misho Shcool’s philosophy is “KyoJitsu Tobun”, meaning the nature itself is not complete but with human being’s involvement the fundamental beauty is achieved.    Misho School also combines the concept of geometry and the Yin-Yan and the five elements (tree, fire, earth, metal, and water).

Misho School’s traditional flower style is called Kakubana.   In the early 20th century Misho School added Shinbana style.

The current headmaster Keiho Hihara is the 10th generation.

Interested in learning Misho School ikebana? Currently they have classes in Vancouver BC, Spain, Germany, and Switzerland, but not in the US.

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How to Make a Memorable Holiday Ikebana

It’s winter. The day time is short.  Here in Seattle today, the sun rises at 7:50am and sets at 4:18pm. By now most deciduous trees have lost leaves and they look bare.

Focus on Color

When everything else looks dull in color such as gray and brown, the vivid green of trees such as cedar, fir and yew, looks all the more attractive.

No wonder why we look to evergreen to decorate inside and outside the house.

Green and Red: Complementary Colors

The complementary color of green is red.  When placed next to each other, green and red give us the most striking contrast in the eye. And this high color contrast makes us feel full of life in the middle of winter.

Color is one of the important elements for Ikebana.  Do you have any evergreen plant in your yard? Why not trimming a little and bringing home? Add some red color. Flowers, fruits, or even ribbons will do. Enjoy the high contrast of these two colors!

Color is one of the important elements for Ikebana.  Do you have any evergreen plant in your yard? Why not trimming a little and bringing home? Add some red color. Flowers, fruits, or even ribbons will do. Enjoy the high contrast of these two colors!

Ikebana

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What is Ikebana “School”

When Ikebana was first developed, there was only one way of arranging flowers: Ikenobo.  Hence Ikenobo is called “the origin of Ikebana.” There was only one “school” to start with.

In the course of the history of over 550 years, however, some ikebana teachers under Ikenobo branched out from the main stream to establish their own styles. Each branched-out group has its own identity as a “school.”

Although they are under the umbrella of ikebana, different schools have different instruction and emphasis. Some say there are more than a thousand different schools!

Some schools, such as Ikenobo, are huge with millions of members worldwide. Some schools are tiny organizations that exist in only certain city or region of Japan.

Ikebana International website lists the following nine schools.  I assume they are among the largest.
(in alphabetical order)
Chiko
Ichiyo
Ikenobo
Misho
Ohara
Ryuseiha
Saga Goryu
Shinpa Seizan
Sogetsu

How many of them have you heard before?

 

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What Is the Tip for Using Kenzan

Ikebana

If you want to place the branch onto the Kenzan, how do you do it?

I have seen so many people try to place the cut end of the branch against the pins of  Kenzan. However, it’s hard to securely place the branch that way.

It’s rather counter-intuitive, but try this.

  • You first cut the branch not straight, but slanting, like shown on the photo.
  • Holding the branch with both hands, you place the cut end of the branch straight onto the Kenzan. You almost thrust the Kenzan with the sharp tip of the branch.
  • Once the branch is securely placed onto Kenzan straight, then slant the branch to the side of the longer bark, not the other way.

In other words, if you want to place the branch slanted to one direction, you have to leave the bark long on the side to which the branch will incline.

You will now securely place the branch. Try a couple of times, until it becomes natural to you.

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Who Founded Ikebana International

Among those who learned ikebana while living in Japan was Mrs. Ellen Gordon Allen, the wife of General Frank Allen.

The United States National Arboretum website introduces Mrs. Allen as below.

“She was captivated by the philosophical and aesthetic elements of ikebana that stressed harmonic relationships. Mrs. Allen earned her Teachers Certificate from the Ohara School and began teaching ikebana.

She turned her mimeographed lessons into a small book, Japanese Flower Arrangement: A Complete Primer, which saw a number of printings. As she taught, she became determined to share her passion for this traditional art form throughout the world.

In 1956, she worked with ikebana school masters in Tokyo to found Ikebana International. She dreamed of spreading the practice of ikebana, believing that its principles would help foster greater world peace. She stated the organization’s motto as “Friendship through Flowers.” Mrs. Allen returned to Washington, D.C., and helped found Chapter No. 1.”

Ikebana International (I.I.) had only 1 chapter with 20 members when Mrs. Allen founded it. Sixty years later, now there are over 7,600 members with 161 chapters in over 50 countries!

Each chapter is affiliated with the head quarter but has its own activities. The Seattle Chapter #19, of which I’m a member, was chartered in 1959, and currently there are almost 100 members. Its activities include demonstration of flower arranging, exhibitions, lectures/programs on related arts, tours, and workshops where one can study Ikebana under the direction of various school Masters.

Its public exhibitions include Northwest Flower and Garden Show in February, Cherry Blossom Festival in April, Annual Exhibition in May, Japan Fair in July, Japan Week in the fall.

The I.I. Seattle Chapter #19 members voluntarily place ikebana arrangements at the Seattle Art Museum all year round.

There may be an Ikebana International chapter in your city. Would you like to know if there is a chapter in your city? Here is the list of current chapters around the world. Please check it out!

As a member of Ikebana International myself, I thank Mrs. Allen for founding this wonderful organization.