Ikebana and us

http://bk.asia-city.com/events/article/interview-akane-teshigahara-japanese-ikebana-master-bangkok Interview: Ikebana Master Akane Teshigahara | BK Magazine Online Akane Teshigahara has been called the rock star of ikebana, the Japanese floral art which is said to bring together nature and humanity. Here, she talks to us ahead of her new installation to mark HM Queen Sirikit's birthday (Aug 2-13). How did you first get into ikebana? When I was six years old, I began learning under my aunt, Kasumi Teshigahara, who was the second generation iemoto (headmaster) of the Sogetsu school of floral art. And I've continued to learn ever since. What is the core concept of ikebana? At the heart of ikebana is an expression of peace and serenity through the life power which is hidden inside plants. It is my wish to send good spirits, smiles, and joy through ikebana. Do you have any tips on how to appreciate ikebana? There are no rules for appre...

I am fascinated with arrangements with lotus flowers or leaves. Here is a lovely arrangement by Iemoto Akane. It is described as "A powerful lotus arrangement in a small jade vase, the pomegranate fruits give movement to the overall." The Container is a Jade vase.

Iemoto Akane arranged flowers for the G8 Hokkaido Toyako summit. Read about her experiences, by clicking Akane Teshigahara's A bunch of thoughts Nice pictures as well. She also created an outdoor bamboo installation with members of the Hokkaido branch.

A lot of you have started visiting this blog recently.  I do not know how many of you know that there are short amateur video clips of Iemoto Akane's 80th Anniversary demonstration on this blog. So, I am providing the link again.  I have corrected some uploading errors in the youtube clips. Click here  to revisit the demonstration!  Happy viewing!

The Hindu : Property Plus Chennai : Ikebana through your eye This is an abridged version of the email interview that Sensei Malathi had with Iemoto Akane, on her return from the Sogetsu 80th Anniversary celebrations, in 2007. The complete interview and article was published in this blog earlier in Nov 07, as "An Interview with Iemoto Akane".

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 ...