Ikebana and us

10th March 2020 13 of us gathered at ABK AOTS Dosokai, at the start of the Coronavirus spreading in India.  We were cautious to maintain social distance, and used namastes to greet each other, rather than our customary warm handshakes and hugs! It was unanimously decided to request our current office bearers to continue for another term, and they readily accepted.  Ms Bhuvana Shivshankaran will be the program Coordinator and Ms Chelvi Gopinath the Treasurer. A novel experiment was done.  In order to give the budding sensei-to-be senior students a chance to demonstrate from the back, they were encouraged to do one basic lesson from the rear.  The lesson was chosen by lots. Chitra Rajan demonstrated Variation 1 moribana Slanting style, with a lovely dry branch and roses. With her arrangement, a smile of accomplishment! The beautiful completed arrangement.  Next Bhuvana was to demonstrate Variation 3 Slanting moribana. With her arrangement and a ready shy

Feb 20th 2020 On the occasion of the Emperor of Japan's birthday reception, it is customary for the Consulate of Japan, Chennai to get in touch with our Chairperson, Sensei Malathi, to embellish the hall with a work of Ikebana.                          It was no different this year, though the big difference was that this was the first reception for Emperor Naruhito, who was crowned in May 2019. The space required that the arrangement be no taller than 3 feet, and was to one side of the podium, whilst on the other Sensei Cherry Venkatesh of the Ohara school would be displaying her work. Using tall vases this time meant that the arrangement of flowers needed to occupy a more horizontal space. The final composition - Chrysanthemums, Ibericum berries, gypsofilia.  Do notice the touch of gold on the leaves. Ohara school's Cherry Venkatesh worked on the other side of the podium. Mrs Karen Uchiyama was intrigued by the arrangement, and discussed with sen