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Saturday, April 29, 2017

The 90th anniversary celebrations at Tokyo Four senseis of our Sogetsu Study Group Chennai attended the 90th Anniversary celebrations at Sogetsu HQ in Tokyo, from the 5th of April until the 10th April 2017.

Details of the exhibition are in the link below.

IKEBANA SOGETSU Vol. 98: SOGETSU 90TH ANNIVERSARY AKANE TESHIGAHARA SOLO EXHIBITION "HANA SO" | Akane Teshigaharas A bunch of thoughts | Sogetsu and Akane Teshigahara Our Senseis Malathi, Prerana, Trishala and Meenalskhi, returned, inspired and motivated, with lots of memories and experiences.  For us in the Study Group, the award received by Sensei Malathi was a double bonus!

Sensei Prerana recalls:

"Seeing the school for the first time is awe inspiring.Before entering u r struck by a huge rock with the Sogetsu emblem carved on it.Walking through the school had a very sublime effect on me.The celebrations were in full swing with everyone so engrossed in creating Ikebana."

The workshop

Prerana - "The workshop was a learning experience coupled with some humour by the Ikebana Sensei Koka Fukushima.  It was art and craft incorporated with subtleness."

The workshop handled by Sensei Koka was to update teachers regarding the textbook 5 curriculum. The award ceremony and the demonstration

The Award Ceremony was solemn. Mrs. Abe was the chief guest for both Award Ceremony and the Performance.

Six senior Awardees received their awards individually. Their citations were read out, and handed over amidst applause and bowing.

The other awardees names including sensei Malathi, came on the screen, with supporting photographs.

The citation and scroll were handed over later on, and here are some pictures of the aesthetically and beautifully written award. Sensei Malathi recounts - "The ikebana performance by Iemoto Akane in the sprawling  amphitheatre was superb. There was drums, shamisen music performance while she performed. Also hi tech simulation and art side by side. It was a very dynamic and unusual show. " The day was Grand, punctual and efficient in all ways.There were 1360 delegates and 136 tables at the sayonara banquet.  All our vegetarian members were served a wonderful 5-course spread!

Prerana concludes - "The convention and banquet were at another level.The glamour quotient was wonderful with Akane taking centre stage.The finale arrangement was breadth taking.The drum beats and the laser effect brought all of us on our feet with a thunderous applause.

The banquet dinner saw Iemoto Akane completely relaxed and in her element.The food was served with so much grace.We raised a toast for Sogetsu Ikebana completing 90 yrs on the planet.

Gave all of us an opportunity to meet Ikebana artists from around the world and interact with them.The night ended with all of us with happily tired but on a high.  The hospitality of the Japanese  will remain with us for a long long time."

The trip was completed with sakura viewing and a Japan homestay for a truly memorable fortnight.
Posted by flowergirl at 1:31 PM 3 comments: Friday, April 28, 2017

Ikebana Exhibition / Workshop at Phoenix Market City Sensei Molly sends this report:

It was indeed a privilege to join hands with PHOENIX Marketcity in the celebration of 'Japan Week' from April 20-23, 2017. Displayed 10 Ikebana arrangements along with Bonsai plants from ' BODHI' - The Chennai Bonsai Association. Ikebana arrangements were by four students and me. The students did simple but meaningful arrangements based on the lessons completed.

Chief Guest was Hiroko Taniguchi, Deputy Consul General, Consulate of Japan. She inaugurated the Exhibition as well as the Ikebana Workshop.

My first arrangement was basic upright style using red carnations and sansevieria in black ceramic suiban. I did three more, two based on lessons and one free style. Used materials easily available in Chennai.
22 participants including few foreigners and couple of students attended the 2 hours long workshop. Each participant was given a terracotta suiban, flowers and foliage. Seating arrangement was not that of a typical class room. There were many round tables, each shared by 2/3 participants. This has created an informal atmosphere and the interactions were easier. Many participants were eager to know more about Sogetsu Ikebana and its activities in Chennai. The participants were given the container, scissors, flowers etc used by them. All of them were eager to practise once they reach home. The workshop was followed by a high tea for all. Meanwhile The Hindu also had this to say:

It might be sweltering outside, but once you step into the mall, you are transported to a spring wonderland. As Phoenix MarketCity dons a visually enchanting decor themed Spring Time in Japan, cherry blossoms and a zen garden with a water feature set the mood for shoppers.

Bonsai pots with casuarina and green island ficus dot the corridors; the exhibits were inaugurated by Hiroko Taniguchi, Deputy Consul-General, Consulate of Japan.
The event also saw Molly Cherian, a certified instructor from Sogetsu Ikebana, Chennai Chapter, conduct a beginner-level workshop on Ikebana. Cherian has been involved with Ikebana for more than 30 years now, and frequently conducts workshops at schools and colleges.
She was assisted by Chitrah Rajah and explained how Ikebana stands for arranging flowers in a container that can hold water. Cherian patiently walked the participants through how to cut the stems, measure them, and choose flowers.
Flowers such as carnations were used, and Cherian taught participants four different styles of Ikebana.

Posted by flowergirl at 9:32 AM No comments: Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Our annual exhibition

March 18th and 19th, 2017
ABK AOT Dosokai Hall, Chennai

The Sogetsu Study Group took part in the Japanese cultural exhibition organised by ABK. The Annual show popularises Ikebana, Bonsai, Origami, Judo and other Japanese cultural activities.

There were eighteen exhibits by our members, and these were greatly enjoyed by the visiting public.

Posted by flowergirl at 11:12 AM 11 comments: