Soho Sakai presented an Ellen Gordon Allen Annual Lecture/Demonstration entitled "Less is more". Soho Sakai, a native of Japan, began practicing the ancient Japanese art and discipline of Ikebana in 1957. She received her Teacher’s Diploma from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana In 1961. She holds the prestigious title of Riji, the highest rank of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. She received the award “Sogetsu Sho” in 2004 and the Sogetsu 80th Anniversary Commemorative Overseas Award from Head mistress Akane Teshigahara in 2007. She conducted a workshop entitled "Enjoying Splendid Autumn" following the demonstration and 2 workshops entitled "Making A Plexiglass Container" and "Making a Freestyle Arrangement In Your Plexiglass Container" on the following day.