Ikebana displayed: Image from the Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19
The Seattle Japanese Garden would like to introduce the Way of Flowers: Ikebana flower arrangement. The Instructor from the Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 will show us the way of Ikebana at the Tateuchi community room in the garden.
This demonstration will show you how to arrange flowers in the Japanese flower arrangement style, following the Japanese way of bringing them to life, outside of the garden. The demonstration will start at 4:30pm (*Subject to Change) on June 6th. Come and enjoy the beautiful Japanese Ikebana arrangement.
Instructor: Diane Elliott
Diane Elliott began her study of Sogetsu ikebana in 1991, in the middle of her career as a fisheries research scientist. When she realized that ikebana would enable her to combine her interests in gardening and art, she was “hooked for life.” She received her first teacher’s certificate from the Sogetsu School in 1995 and earned the highest teaching diploma awarded by the school in 2014. She has been an active member of Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 since 1992 and is the current Director of the Sogetsu School Seattle Branch. Diane has presented ikebana demonstrations and workshops for a variety of groups. She currently teaches ikebana classes in her Kirkland home studio, and also teaches classes for teens and adults at a local in-patient mental health facility as part of their mindfulness program. The study of ikebana can be a life-enriching experience, and Diane has found that spreading the beauty and creativity of ikebana through teaching, exhibiting, and demonstrating this wonderful art is very rewarding.
Ikebana by Diane Elliott
Sogetsu School of Ikebana
The Sogetsu School of Ikebana was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara, with the intent of modernizing the ancient art of ikebana. The Sogetsu School was established on the premise that ikebana can be created anytime, by anyone anywhere in the world, with any available materials. Today, basic and advanced techniques of modern Sogetsu ikebana are taught throughout the world by certified instructors aided by textbooks written in Japanese, English and several other languages.
Plants are products of nature, but a basic principle of Sogetsu is that ikebana reflects the personality of the arranger, and students are taught to be creative and imaginative. Regardless of the arrangement style, students are instructed to always pay respect to relationships such as space, line, mass, depth, movement, color, form, and balance. Sogetsu ikebana arrangements are intended to bring beauty and discovery into the lives of those who create them, and into the lives of those who view them as well.
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is also known as Kado, way of flowers. In Ikebana, blossoms, branches, leaves, and stems are arranged for artmaking. Ikebana aims to bring out the inner quality of flowers and other materials and express emotion. Ikebana is counted as one of the three classical Japanese arts along with Kodo for incense appreciation and Chado for tea ceremony.
The Ikebana tradition started in Heian Period (794 - 1185) as floral offerings at altars. In the 16th century under the influence of Buddhist tea masters, Ikebana reached its first zenith. Since then, it has grown with numerous Ikebana schools today.
About Ikebana International
Ikebana International is the world-wide organization consisting of people who love Japanese floral arrangements . Chapter 19 in Seattle includes about 10 various types of schools, some classic and some modern. Please refer to: www.iiseattlechapter19.org
Entry to the garden is FREE a whole day from noon to closing for Free First Thursday.