Latest Event
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
“The themes of the workshop”
Morning session (Choose one of the following options)
3-13: Composition of Mass and Line (Straight or Curved) [non- shihan holder]
4-18: In a Suiban without Kenzan [non-Shihan holder]
5-8: Improving Your Technique “In a Suiban without Kenzan” [Shihan holder]
5-9: Floor Position Arrangement [ Shihan holder]
Afternoon session (Choose one of the following options)
5-4: Green Plant Materials [shihan holder & non- shihan holder]
{Beginners may arrange Basic Upright Style Moribana (Book1-1) or Nageire (Book 1-4), using green materials only}
5-24: Using Various Locations [shihan holder] (You may create an arrangement inside of the Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel building)
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I am still in awe about the intensity of our recent Textbook 5 Training session and Workshop. Not including any preparation time, the two days which showcased the work demonstrated by our very skilled Ms Fukushima-sensei surpassed anything we expected. I first met Ms Fukushima-sensei on the day prior to the training session. She wore the most pleasant smile to be greeted with and was so gracious in her mannerisms. It felt somewhat like meeting The Queen herself, but of course not so formally.
We had an introduction and a brief exchange of welcome then proceeded to work. As one of the newest members to the London Branch Committee, it was an honour to have the opportunity to work so closely with so many talented Sogetsu practitioners. The work which went into preparing for the session was incredibly meticulously planned. Attention was paid to every detail, and members who took responsibility for various areas gave feedback on progress or any changes which occurred.
The day of the workshop was exciting and energetic! There was a particular buzz in the chapel. To be honest, it felt like a meeting of the United Nations, when I saw people from all different background in attendance. A special greeting which was played as part of the presentation came from Iemoto Akane-sensei. It was very surreal and almost felt as though she was also present. Her message was profoundly encouraging. Akane-sensei was very passionate in expressing joy for the progress Sogetsu is making not just in its homeland of Japan, but worldwide. It gave me a feeling of belonging to a family, the Sogetsu family.
Ms Fukushima-sensei’s presentation took place over two sections. One in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Both were very informative and incredibly interesting. All of the delegates who attended were fully engaged and had an opportunity at the end to participate in a question and answer session.
Our workshop saw Ms Fukushima-sensei demonstrate arrangements we would be doing based on the themes we selected. The ease with which she did the arrangements was jaw-dropping. The movement of her hands while holding the hasami and the plant material was almost like an orchestral conductor directing the musicians in a concert. Despite this delicateness, her strength was quite evident in the way she manipulated branches. This could also be seen in the preassembled fixtures which had been drilled, nailed and wired.
I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop but the most fun for me was the arrangement using kenzan-nashi (Improving Technique in Suiban without Kenzan). Having done this subject with my sensei Ikuyo-san, it was an exciting challenge for me to repeat it. As in our lesson, we aim to ensure that our arrangements, including being appropriate for the subject/theme they represent, that they remain stable. Having the theme covered once again by Ms Fukushima-sensei made it even more evident of the importance of this.
We enjoyed a beautifully organized two days which also included a wide array of typical Japanese cuisine and a piano recital of classical and contemporary music. When our Textbook 5 Training Session and Workshop concluded, we left with having made new friends, learnt new skills and rekindled as more enthusiastic sogetsu practitioners. Our thoughts were also with our late Mr Suga-sensei who due to his untimely passing was sadly not with us. Overall, a very emotional and memorable event which both the London Branch members and all who attended will remember fondly.
(The article – by Mr Vendrice Garvin)
<Last edited by Ikuyo Morrison on July 3, 2018 at 8:08 pm>