Latest Event
Saturday 23rd March, 2024 – AGM & Members’ Day
Special lecture by London Potters
Saturday 20th January, 2024 – Workshop led by Mrs Irene Moore
Theme: Winter Festival
Saturday 18th November 2023 – Workshop led by Ms Kaoru Furukawa and Ms Scarlett Szeto
Theme: Fruits and Vegetables
Saturday 23rd September, 2023 – Branch Exhibition
Theme: Harmony with the container
Sogetsu London Branch collaborated with London Potters for the first time in the theme “Harmony with the Container”. Sogetsu participants in collaboration demonstrated their creativity using the vessels provided by London Potters participants, and those who were not in collaboration equally created beautiful arrangements with their own containers. The exhibition was well received with the high number of visitors coming into the venue from opening to closing. The visitors seemed to be enjoying strolling among the compositions as well as the trial lessons.
Sunday 25th June, 2023 – Workshop led by Mrs. Ikuyo Morrison
Theme of Workshop:
Flower work using Driftwood and Dried wood
It was a beautiful sunny day, we had a great workshop led by Ikuyo-sensei at her residence. Her garden had a lot of flowers everywhere and well tended plants.
Ikuyo-sensei’s demonstration was a very interesting session and she used a lot of materials including from her lovely garden.
After her demonstration, we grouped in to teams and tried making arrangements with Driftwood and Dried wood kindly provided by Ikuyo-sensei.
The group workshop was very helpful to deepen our mutual understanding of each other.
We appreciated the fantastic workshop in a perfect environment.
Thank you very much, Ikuyo-sensei.
Saturday 23rd, March, 2023 – AGM
The AGM was successfully held on 25th march, 2023 at Rosslyn Hill Chapel. We were honoured to have an inspiring special lecture “Growing Forms Through Repetition” by Ms Junko Mori. Followed by demonstrations from Mrs. Akiko Hartell and Mrs. Iwona Purton-Dmowski (Kasia). All members were amazed with their gorgeous and interesting arrangements.
Saturday 21th January, 2023 – Workshop
Led by Mrs Keiko Takahashi and Ms Marzena Joseph
Theme of Workshop: Chinese New Year Celebration
Keiko sansei is a former Director of the Sogetsu London Branch (2015-2017) and is qualified for a Teacher’s Diploma 1st Grade Jonin Somu.
Marzena is a flower designer based in London and is known to many members who attended the events at the London Flower School, where she was a tutor and creative director. She currently holds a 3rd Grade Teacher’s Diploma.
Saturday 17th September 2022 – Workshop
Led by HQ Master Instructor Ms Koka Fukushima
Theme: Color in same tonal range / Composition expressing a movement
Saturday 25th June 2022
Special programme – HQ Online Seminar
Led by HQ Master Instructor Mr. Tetsunori Kawana
Theme: Relief Work or Freestyle
It was our great pleasure to have Mr. Tetsunori Kawana for our London online seminar. Kawana Sensei is a master teacher from the Sogetsu School in Japan and is an internationally renowned and recognised artist. Kawana Sensei has had exhibits in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.
Kawana Sensei’s demonstrations were amazing and motivating. He inspired us to not only strive to show a beautiful arrangement but to open up different possibilities, using angles and individual creativity. All participants were rewarded from Kawana Sensei’s precious feedback.
See more pictures on our Facebook
Sat 11th June, 2022
15th Anniversary Exhibition
Sogetsu London Branch were super excited to welcome back our first in person exhibition after two years apart – our 15th anniversary, coinciding with HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee and Akane Teshigahara’s 20th year as lemoto of Sogetsu Foundation.
The response was extremely good and a great chance to reunite existing members and welcome new ones. Participants expressed their interpretation of the theme ‘Platinum’ with individual diversity in style, materials and skill. The exhibition proved to be an inspiring and invaluable experience.
See more pictures on our Facebook
Sat 26th March 2022
The AGM and Special lecture by Mr Yasuhiro Yamaguchi – “Chado, the way of Tea”
Mr Yamaguchi is a long-term Sogetsu practitioner, initially trained with Suga-
sensei in the 1990s and since 2003 with HQ Master Instructor Koka Fukushima.
He has a wide range of interest in Japanese arts, including ikebana, calligraphy,
performing arts and Chado. His experience of tea is some 15 years, studying at
the Urasenke London Branch in Greenwich. He has been heading the
Tankoukai UK Association, Urasenke tea practitioners’ group for the last 7
years, and teaches the Japanese tea himself.
—-
[A reflection about the lecture by TJ – London Branch member. In English and Japanese.]
Yamaguchi san beautifully explained the philosophy of Chado, and the way of Chabana (flowers for Tea ceremonies) by sharing the history of tea in Japan from the 8th century to the present day, and how Chado was established as an art form through time.
I felt as if Yamaguchi san took us attendees on a journey through time from Medieval Japan, through the Samurai period, and finally to the present day and a quiet hasitsu (Tea house) for Chaji (Tea ceremony) in Kyoto.
It was an inspiring lecture that I was privileged to attend as a new member of SSILB on 26th March.
(TJ)
3月26日のAGMに続いて開かれたレクチャーでは、講師山口さんが「Chado, The way of tea」をテーマに、8世紀に日本にお茶が伝来されてからのお茶の歴史と時代背景、茶道が芸術として確立するまでの流れ、現在の茶道のかたちを時代を追って詳しくお話し下さいました。
中世から武士社会、お茶を通して物質ではなく心の豊かさを求めた人々。そして現代の日本。木々に囲まれた静かな茶室での茶事の催し。山口さんのご説明は大変分かりやすく、レクチャーを通して参加者の私達を心のタイムトラベルに連れていって下さいました。
茶道の心と、茶道における花のあり方を学ぶ貴重な機会を草月ロンドン支部新入会員の私に与えて頂き感謝しております。
(TJ)
We welcome you to visit Japan House London to experience –
Windows on Tea: Live Chadō Demonstrations by Tankokai UK (japanhouselondon.uk)
Sat 5th February 2022
Virtual demonstration by Mrs Martine Gracey
Theme: Happy New Year arrangements with colourful paper. Martine studied ikebana under Mrs. Lucille Evans in Hong Kong, and took part in various exhibitions and conferences in the Far East. In 1999, she started teaching ikebana while in Japan. On her return to the UK, she studied under the guidance of both the late Mrs Barbara Joyce and Mr Shigeo Suga. Martine was a former director of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana London Branch and also a committee member of Ikebana International London Chapter. She currently teaches and conducts lessons in the Epping area.
Saturday, 20th November 2021
Virtual demonstration by Mr Wagner Kreusch.
Please have a look at Wagner’s Instagram page to see parts of his prepared work. https://instagram.com/wagnerjk?utm_medium=copy_link
Saturday, 4th September 2021
Virtual Exhibition: The responses to this year’s virtual exhibition was extremely good. Current and past members were invited to submit images of their arrangements based on the three themes: Glass container, Variety or material and Freestyle. We hoped participants would feel free to explore their creativity in the wide range of subjects suggested. It was important that everyone felt welcome to participate and so we encouraged both teachers and students of all levels to get involved.
The interpretation of the themes express individual diversity in style, choice of material and skill. We are fortunate as a branch to have such an eclectic group of ikebana enthusiasts who are not afraid to express themselves through the use of Japanese Floral Art in the school of Sogetsu. I hope you will enjoy these beautiful arrangements and that they may inspire you in your own work and daily life.
See images on our Facebook page
Watch the video on our Facebook page
Saturday, 19th June 2021
Virtual demonstration by HQ Master Instructor Ms Koka Fukushima. Theme: Using the Japanese Bamboo Baskets.
Koka-sensei has such a beautiful collection of bamboo baskets. It was intriguing seeing the material she used for each and the stories that made her connect them. It was a very interesting session with a lot of useful information to apply when arranging in bamboo (and perhaps other) baskets. I am personally curious about the material we do not often see in the UK. Such things challenges us to think of what are suitable alternatives. This lends the new creation to the spirit of exploration of new ideas.
Saturday, 27th March 2021
Due to the extended national lockdown and restrictions in place, the branch held its Virtual Social Event as part of the activities for the day.
AGM reports were circulated to members via email. During the virtual social event members could interact with each other. We welcomed the presence of Miho Okawara, Ikebana International – President and many of our distinguished members. Everyone expressed satisfaction in having a connection, despite being virtual.
Monday, 7th December 2020
As a result of the national lockdown The Sogetsu London Branch held a VIRTUAL EXHIBITION. The theme was Christmas/New Year. The exhibition asked participants to create work which expressed the celebration of these festive holidays. Participants were allowed up to 3 entries, one of which must represent Christmas or New Year.
Watch the video on our Facebook page
MARCH 2020 – NOVEMBER 2020
PHYSICAL EVENTS CANCELLED DUE TO LOCKDOWN
Saturday, 18th January 2020.
Workshop led by Mrs Shoko K– Hanson and Mr Vendrice Garvin. The theme of the workshop: Textbook 4-13, Dried, Bleached, or Coloured Materials (枯れもの・漂白花材・着色花材). Venue: London Flower School (Nearest tube station: Kings cross): 16 – 20 Wharfdale Road, London, N1 9RY.
Saturday, 23rd Nov. 2019
The workshop led by Mrs Odile Carton from Paris, France. The themes of the workshop: Morning session: Textbook 4 – 4, Only One Kind of Material(一種いけ). Afternoon session: Textbook 4 – 7, Fruiting Plant Material (実物). Venue: London Flower School (Nearest tube station: Kings cross): 16-20 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY
Saturday 28th September 2019
The Sogetsu London Branch held its 9th Branch Exhibition on 28th September 2019. This exhibition was approved as an official event for the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020.The theme of the exhibition was “You in Ikebana” ＜私の花＞.
Venue: London Flower School: 16-20 Wharfdale Road, London, N1 9RY
Saturday, 22nd June 2019
Master Instructor Ms Koka Fukushima Sensei from Tokyo, Japan led the workshop. Morning session: Textbook 3-7, Composition of Straight and Curved Lines – 直線と曲線の構成 – Afternoon session: Textbook 5-1, Using Seasonal Plant Material in England – 英国の季節をいける-
Venue: London Flower School: 16-20 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY
AGM & Members’ Day – let’s enjoy Japanese culture & Let’s try Ikebana demonstration by members. The programme included a lecture “Demystifying Japan’s art of growing tree in a pot” by Mr Vendrice Garvin, and Japanese style buffet lunch prepared by the members.
Venue: London Flower School: 16-20 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY
Mrs Ikuyo Morrison led the workshop on Saturday 26th January 2019.
Theme: 5-14 Composing with Branches – A Two – step Approach.
Venue: London Flower School, 16-20 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY
Saturday, 26th November 2018
Mrs Ilse Beunen from Belgium led the workshop on Saturday 24th November 2018. The Theme of the workshop was using Glass Vases.
Venue: London Flower School: 16-20 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY
Saturday, 8th September 2018
A special workshop was held on 8th September 2018. Themes: Floral tribute to the Memory of the late Mr Shigeo Suga or, Free style Ikebana using Seasonal Plant Materials. Venue(new): London Flower School:16-20 Wharfdale Road, N1 9RY
Friday, 1st June 2018
Sogetsu Textbook 5 Special Training Session by Master Instructor Ms Koka Fukushima from Headquarters.
Saturday, 2nd June 2018
Workshop led by Master Instructor Ms Koka Fukushima.
Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Pilgrim’s Place, Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG
Saturday 24th March 2018
AGM & Members’ Day – let’s enjoy Japanese culture! The program includes a special lecture “I fell in love in Japan – With festivals” by Ms Marion Maule, the Japanese kimono dressing experience by Mrs Hikari Nakamura, and we shared the Japanese style buffet lunch prepared by the members. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Pilgrim’s Place, Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG
Saturday 4th 27th January 2018
Mrs Irene Moore and Mrs Hiromi Owen led the workshop on Saturday 27th January 2018. Theme: Textbook 4-11: Using both Fresh and Unconventional Materials. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG
Saturday 4th November 2017
Dr Mary Stewart led the workshop on Saturday 4th November 2017. Theme: Arrangement with only Green Plant Materials. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead, London, NW3 1NG
Saturday 9th September 2017
Mrs Deborah Hathorn led the workshop on Saturday 9th September 2017. The theme of the workshop was “CELEBRATION” for the 10th Anniversary of Sogetsu London Branch foundation and the 90th Anniversary of Sogetsu School. Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead.
Friday – Saturday, 2nd- 3rd June, 2017
The Sogetsu London Branch held its 8th Annual Branch Exhibition on 2nd – 3rd June at the Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead. This year’s theme was “CELEBRATION” for the 10th Anniversary of the Sogetsu London Branch foundation and the 90th Anniversary of Sogetsu School. There was a ‘Let’s try Ikebana’ corner for visitors as usual.
Saturday 25th March, 2017
AGM & Members’ Day – Let’s Enjoy Japanese Culture! The program includes Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese-style buffet lunch, and a special lecture “A FANFARE FOR SPRING” by Ms Marion Maule.
Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, NW3 1NG London
Saturday 28th January, 2017
Mrs Yuko Cowin and Ms Fumiko Nakasato led the workshop on Saturday 28th January, 2017. The theme of workshop was ‘Let’s Enjoy Kakeiho’.
Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead.
Saturday 19th November, 2016
Mr Shigeo Suga led the workshop on Saturday 19th November, 2016. The theme of workshop was ‘Autumn Free Style Ikebana’.
Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead.
Saturday 10th September, 2016
Mrs Odile Carton from Paris led the Workshop on Saturday 10th September, 2016. The theme of the Workshop was Textbook 4 -18: In a Suiban without kenzan .
Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel in Hampstead.
Friday – Saturday, 3rd– 4th June, 2016
The London Branch 7th Annual Exhibition was held at the Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel on 3rd June (Preview), and 4th June (Day Open to the Public). There was a trial corner ‘Let’s Try Ikebana’ on the 4th so that visitors could enjoy creating their own ikebana arrangement after viewing the Exhibition, through the guidance of our qualified teachers.
Saturday 26th March, 2016
AGM & Members’ Day, Mrs Ikuyo Morrison led the workshop on 26th March, 2016. The theme of the workshop was ‘RENKA’ which is a series of impromptu Ikebana arranged by multiple ikebanists, using Corkscrew Hazel and Driftwood.
Venue: Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, London
Friday, 29th May, 2015
Workshop Led by Mrs Anke Ma Verhoeven
Themes: Textbook 4-2: With Leaves Only and Textbook 2-16: Floating Arrangement
Venue; Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel, Hampstead, London