Ikebana and us

When I am caught up with my day-to-day life, trying to be practical, rational and maximising my time, all I need is an exposure to the Japanese to suddenly bring me into the world of aesthetics. It never fails, happens all the time. Whether it is seeing them work in an Ikebana class, decorating their food or giving a gift. I am left feeling clumsy and uncouth and bumbling (add to this the fact that I'm almost twice their size!) When they attend a class, they will work in such a way that there will hardly be any mess around. Whereas I will litter the place around me, and then clean up! The dish they use to serve their food, the way they present it is as important as the food itself. I would just clunk the food down in the first dish I can lay my hands on. They will give a gift in a wrapper which is so beautiful that you dont feel like opening the present! Ikebana has definitely improved my sensitivity to and appreciation of aesthetics. I really look forward to the monthly workshops

I remember using these lovely yellow spikes in our last Ikebana exhibition, but did not know the name. They are in bloom once again, and I have been able to identify it, thanks to the flowers of india website. It is called Candle Bush - how appropriate, isnt it? Here are the details from that site: "Common name: Candle bush, Ringworm shrub, Dadmurdan दादमुर्दन (Hindi), Seemaiagathi (Tamil), Simayakatti (Malayalam) Botanical name: Senna alata Family: Fabaceae (pea family) Synonyms: Cassia alata This plant, a 6 - 25 feet tall, perennial shrub, has erect waxy yellow spikes that resemble fat candles before the individual blossoms open. The large leaves are bilateral - symetrical opposed and fold together at night. The fruit is a pod, while the seeds are small and square. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid. The leaves are reported to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, being used in the same manner as senna. The leaves are commonly used for ringworm and other skin diseases.

Ambika a very useful idea, it allows all team members to see events as they happen esp. the members who have missed them. Chitra, I hear you want to host the next workshop at your place on Dec. 11th, it is OK with me, can you pass on the date to the other members also?

It is really facinating to read both Mams' & Ambika's narration on Japan event.Hope to get more. Molly.

Spring First, the demonstration started with Iemoto Akane doing an Ikebana composition on one side of the stage. Take a look at the amateur video below, to see how she worked. No music, just silence for this prelude. And the oncidium used in the exhibit stood out, in my opinion. In the diagonally opposite corner, she did another arrangement with huge hydrangeas and glory lilies. The vase for this piece was outstanding, and was her own creation. All this was carried out in silence. Suddenly, a parchment covering the entire floor of the arena almost, appeared, and there was Akane, creating a lovely calligraphy, which read "Flower is Heart" - we were told, by the announcer Summer Then the stage was cleared, and we were thrown into pitch dark silence. Then came some haunting chanting as the musicians of Yaz Kaz (http://www.yas-kaz.com/en.htm) along with some drummers from Senegal took to the stage! This was a really dramatic portion of the whole performance. Take a

March 10th 2007: Arrive in Tokyo from Bangkok, late at night. Take the airport limousine bus and alight at Akasaka. Its only a short walk to our hotel, but my mother and I are unprepared for the icy winds! With chattering teeth, we drag our suitcases to a sheltered corner of the closest highrise and take out our warmest coats. After getting lost for a little while, we did find our hotel lobby, which was WARM and lovely. My memories of our dinner that night, were that it was tasty and warming and comforting! Like all hotel rooms in Tokyo, this one too was a little cubby hole. Certainly not something for two well built Indian ladies. Our every move had to be coordinated and planned like a duet! March 11th 2007, Sunday: Up and ready early, all in anticipation for the show ahead of us. A hearty breakfast, and we are all set to go. It was a cold, blustery and bleak day in Tokyo. We had a long ride ahead on the Tokyo subway. Sign language and some helpful Railway attendants and w

Iemoto Akane, brought out all the features of Ikebana and Sogetsu in her wonderful demonstration that was the centrepiece of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the School, at Tokyo. Attended by some 6,000 delegates from across the world, the event was staged at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, the famous Sumo-wrestling auditorium, and graced by HH Princess Hitachi. Here is a picture of Akane at the exhibition I was moved by the “homage” she paid to previous Iemotos, unconsciously weaving their signatures into the show, as well as her solo exhibition titled “Ikebana Through My Eyes”. The demonstration incorporated stunning jazz drummers, powerful gospel singing, calligraphy and dance, along with lighting and other special effects, all complementing the Ikebana. The whole programme traced the seasons and unfolded in six acts. On my return, Iemoto Akane graciously answered my questions on the show, via e-mail, and here are the highlights of our dialogue. Malathi: The whole demonstration was

The year 2007 has been celebrated all over India as the 50th year of Indo-Japan friendship. In Chennai also, ABK-AOTS Dosokai have sponsored several exhibitions and cultural events to mark the occasion. As part of the celebrations, we had two Ikebana exhibitions as well in the city. As an Ikebana teacher myself, I was doubly delighted that this year was also the 80th anniversary year for the Sogetsu school of Ikebana. It was with much anticipation that I decided to attend the show in Tokyo, titled “Blooming Flowers For Tomorrow.” Having started in the Buddhist temples as an offering of flowers, Ikebana emphasizes “livingness” or Ikeru. It stands apart from other floral decorations, by its emphasis of the display of Line, the use of asymmetry, and other art concepts like texture, rhythm, form and colour. The Sogetsu school has been arguably the most important school in spreading global awareness about the ancient floral art of Ikebana, moving it from its original spiritual roots to