Let's Learn Sogetsu Ikebana!
Five people are participating in Senses from Japan – Spring 2019.
Kudos to all of you for creating beautiful arrangements! You have chosen your own materials and a container that goes with it. Above all, I hope you enjoyed thoroughly the process of creating something new on your own!
Here are the people and their work, except for one. (Hopefully I will add one more person!)
Congratulations to Dan, Daniel, Cindy, Linda, and Kumiko!
Many thanks to those of you who came to my Ikebana demonstration at Seattle Art Museum yesterday! I hope you enjoyed the six arrangements with different flowers, containers, theme, and styles. Which one was your favorite?
For the preparation of this demo, I thought through the combination of the materials and the container, made drawings of each arrangement, and contemplated the order of the arrangements. Then I trimmed the materials a bit so that I can avoid spending too much time prepping the materials in front of the audience.
On the stage beforehand, I situated all the six containers and the materials according to the order of my planned arrangements. I was prepared as much as possible.
Then the demo started…
No matter how much you prepare, you can never expect things will flow as you expected. Rather, once you have started, it’s as if you have forgotten everything you had prepared before and face each moment with totally fresh mind. You don’t rely on your brain or mind, but you follow your eyes and your hands to move. What you create may be nothing like you had imagined before. And that is OK.
“Maybe it’s like jazz musicians doing improv session on the stage,” I thought, while I was taking down all the arrangements after the demo. Next time I do an Ikebana demo, I would like to pursue this idea further.
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!
This weekend is exciting, because three Ikebana events are scheduled in Seattle area! Events are all admission free. I hope you will enjoy at least one of them. All the more exciting if you get to enjoy all of them!
Every fall Mercer Island Sogetsu Branch participates in the 1st Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. This year the event will be at 9 participating galleries in Pioneer Square on Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 7.
Obviously, the word “Flowalk” is made up with flower and walk. Meander around art galleries in Pioneer Square, and you will run into Ikebana arrangements on the show window, on the counter, or on the pedestal. This combination of fine art and Ikebana art is a fun experience so typical of Pioneer Square! Admission is free.
Seattle Sogetsu Branch will hold its annual exhibition at Olympic Sculpture Park. This year they are especially celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Sogetsu School in Tokyo, Japan. Here, too, you will get to enjoy the wonderful combination of sculpture and Ikebana art.
The exhibition will be held on Saturday, October 7 10am – 5pm, and Sunday, October 8 10am – 4pm. Ikebana demonstration will be held at 1pm and 2pm on each day. There will also be opportunities for attendees to create their own Ikebana!
Location:
Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park Paccar Pavilion
2901 Western Ave., Seattle WA 98121
(parking in Pavilion garage)
On Saturday October 7, Japan Week will be celebrated at Bellevue College. Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 will be exhibiting Ikebana arrangements.
During the first week in October, Bellevue Colle is having cultural and educational workshops and demonstrations for its students, faculty and staff, hence called Japan “Week.”
The last day (October 7), is open to public, and offers exciting activities, Japanese food, Japanese music and performances, movies, exhibitions and workshops for all ages to enjoy. Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 is one of the participants and there will be many Ikebana displays.
Location:
Bellevue College
3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
My Ikebana teacher Mrs. Mitsuko Hakomori and I set the Hana Guruma (flower carriage) on the floor, and just completed this large flower installation.
This carriage is a loose replica of the vehicle on which Japan’s aristocracy in the Heian period (8th – 12th century) used to ride. The carriage was led by a bull, not by a horse.
On this carriage, we load lots of flowers instead of the human being. The materials used here are: rosehips, pampas grass, millet, curly willow, sunflowers, and various kinds of dahlias.
This kind of installation is often called “Mukaebana”, which means welcoming flowers.
Please come to see us at Senses from Japan – Fall 2017, the three-day event starting today. This flower installation will welcome you!