Ikebana of Richmond

October 4 & 5, 2018​
Rumiko Manako presented a lecture/demonstration entitled “Dancing Flower”.  She is a Professor of Ikenobo Tokyo Busoukai, President of Manako Flower Academy, President of Manako Jafas Paris, and Special Instructor of Society National Horticulture de France. She began study with Mrs. Yasuko Manako at Manako Flower Academy in 1989 and has been a leader, teacher, designer, and demonstrator in the art of flower arranging around the world for the last thirty years. She conducted a workshop entiteled "Shoka Shimputai" following the demonstration and 2 workshops entitled "Shoka Shofutai" and "Ecology" on the following day.

Octuber 12 & 13, 2017
Sozan Nakamura, a Rigi of Sogetsu School, a Master Instructor of the Sogetsu Headquarter and an Instructor of Iemoto class at the headquarters in Tokyo and Osaka presented an Ellen Gordon Allen Annual Lecture/Demonstration entitled "Watashi no Hana - You in Ikebana" .  He began to study Ikebana under the 2nd Iemoto, Kasumi Teshigahara in 1977 and joined Sogetsu Kobo (Studio) from 1982 till 1994.   He conducted a workshop entitled “Table arrangement” following the demonstration and 2 workshops entitled  “Focusing on fixing and conditioning, Nageire” and "Mizuhiki" on the following day.

November 10 & 11, 2016                                                     
Karen Napoli presented the Ellen Gordon Allen Annual Lecture/Demonstration entitled “A Walk in the Woods’ – “To Emphasize Ichiyo’s Love of Nature”.  She is a Master in the Ichiyo School of Ikebana.   She began her study of Ichiyo in 1993.  Upon moving back to Tokyo in 2000 she resumed lessons directly under Headmaster Kasuya for 6 years, which greatly influenced her interpretation and understanding of this art.  Upon moving back to the US, she continued lessons under Executive Master Shirley Winkler in Pennsylvania, traveling to Japan every 5 years to study under the Iemoto and earned her Executive Master Certificate in 2012. She conducted a workshop entitled "Using Baskets” following the demonstration and 2 workshops entitled "Contrast Form” and "Working with Color" on the following day.

October 15 & 16, 2015
Young Lee Oh presented the Ellen Gordon Allen Lecture/Demonstration entitled “The Glory of the Season".  She is a 1st Term Master of the Ohara school of Ikebana International.  She studied under Master Matsuo Tomita in New York for 30 years and has taken masters classes in Japan.   She conducted a workshop entitled "Hana-Kanade" following the demonstraton and 2 workshops entitled "Moribana, Water Reflecting Style" and "Heika - Arrangement in Tall Container" on the following day.  

November 14 & 15, 2013
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.           

November 8 & 9,  2012
Elaine Jo presented a demonstration.  She is an Executive Master of the Ichiyo School of Ikebana.  She lived in Tokyo, Japan for 25 years and received her Master Degree from the Ichiyo School of Ikebana during that period.  She was awarded an Executive Master Degree and  was appointed President of the newly formed Atlanta Chapter of the Ichiyo School in 2009.  She conducted a workshop entitled "Focus on Color Harmony as seen through the eyes of Artist James Whistler" after the demonstration.  A workshop entitled "Vines" & "Containers with small openings" was held on the following day.

November 3 & 4, 2011 
Reiko Kawamura presented a demonstration.  She is a grand master of the Ohara school and is the daughter of the instructor who taught Ellen Gordon Allen, the founder of Ikebana International.  She received her Ohara Instructor certificate in 1961 and began teaching in Columbus, Ohio in 1965.  She conducted the workshop "Heika" following the demonstration, and "Slanting Style Heika" & "Hana-isho-Basic-Rising Form-Low Bowl" on the following day.
The article of Mrs. Kawamura's demonstration was published in the Richmond Times Dispatch on November 13, 2011. Her demonstration was also featured in "Video" of  their website. 

Here is the Richmond Times Dispatch link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JKkGcC26lU

November 4 & 5, 2010
Kika Shibata presented a demonstration showcasing 11 arrangements and a Taisaku arrangement.  She holds the title of RIJI in the Sogetsu School and is the Sogetsu Regional Director Of North America.

Kika Shibata conducted three workshops teaching participants the basic techniques used to arrange branches in a Nagiere container, how to make a basket out of branches, and combining the elements of a Japanese celebration arrangement in a Kabuwake arrangement.