Date: 30.07.2024 to 02.08.2024, Place: Ikenobō Headquarters Building, Kyoto, Participants:
Special members or Regular members of Ikenobō Society of Floral Art who hold the Ikenobō Diploma #5 or above, Instructors: Ikenobo Headquarters Professors, Assistant Professors and Instructors, Language: English and Japanese.
This was the announcement for the World Seminar at the headquarters in Kyoto, in which Ikebana students from all over the world could participate. Divided into 5 courses, which could be attended depending on the degree level, we had the honor of being taught by Prof. Furukawa, who impressed us with his friendly and approachable manner, his humor and his unique chalk drawings on the blackboard.
The Ikenobō HQ is located on one of Kyoto's two main subway lines, the Karasuma Line (K), and - like the Ikenobō Ikebana - impresses with its combination of old and new. The Ikenobō headquarters combines the Rokkakudō temple, which radiates peace and tranquillity, with the bustling 9-storey Ikenobō high-rise.
The temple, also known as Chōhō-ji, is a Buddhist temple that belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism and was founded by Prince Shōtoku in the 6th century. Its hexagonal shape gave it its name Rokkakudō (hexagonal hall). It is an important place in the history of ikebana, as it is considered the temple where the abbot Ono no Imoko created elaborate flower arrangements. His hut by the pond (池坊, Ike no bō) is considered to have given its name to Ikenobō ikebana. In 1450, Ikenobō Senkei founded the first ikebana school in the true sense of the word in Rokkaku-dō, which is why it is assumed that the art of ikebana has its roots here. It is believed that Sen no Rikyū, the founder of the modern art of tea, visited the temple regularly. The temple houses a statue of Kannon, the goddess of compassion, who is revered by many believers.
It is also known as the navel of Kyoto, as it is located in the geographical center of the city. Every year, the temple attracts many visitors who appreciate both the tranquil atmosphere and the fascinating history of this historic site. We spent most of our time on the 5th and 6th floors of the modern Ikenobō skyscraper, where our courses were held. First, however, we had to go to the Karaku store on the 8th floor, as we wanted to stock up on vases and other ikebana utensils before the course. My C1 course was well attended with 24 participants and was particularly international. The participants came from Barcelona, the Netherlands, Austria, London, Moscow, California, Cleveland, Colorado, Northern California, Texas, Vietnam, China and Japan. This colorful mix should provide a perfect mixture for a successful cooperation, which was noticeable in the coming days through a pleasant working atmosphere and a relaxed atmosphere in the group.
On the first day of the course, the most elaborate part of the seminar was planned, a Rikka Shofūtai, in which we were able to demonstrate our skills after a detailed theory session by Mr. Prof. Furukawa with English translation by his Japanese assistant. Vessels and kenzan could be borrowed - as on every other seminar day - from a large number of vessels in the warehouse and the flower materials were packed in paper for each person. So the arranging could begin. Those who had completed their work briefly indicated this to the assistant and so, accompanied by a calm and relaxed working atmosphere, the work went in turn with a correction by the professor. At lunchtime, you could enjoy a bento box in the café in the basement and watch the birds consolidating their social interaction in a large aviary in the entrance area to the sound of continuous looped chirping.
On the second day, a Shōka Shofūtai Sanshuike kabuwake was on the program.
After a detailed explanation of the classic and original forms 'Suiriku-ike' (water-land arrangement) and 'Gyodō-ike' (fishway arrangement), we received our materials for the modern form, which does not require the use of a water plant: sorghum halepense, blueberry herb and small carnations. On the third day, our skills with wire were again in demand for a Rikka Shimpūtai. The materials we were given for this could be supplemented with the flowers left over from the previous days. On the fourth day, it was all about distorting aspidistra leaves in a Jiyūka and working either in a design-like or natural way.
As all the participants in our course had finished with the Jiyūka relatively early in the afternoon, we were able to visit the museum on the 3rd floor together with our professor and were given an expert guided tour of the grounds of the Rokkakudō temple. Very famous is the weeping willow that stands at the entrance and on whose branches many visitors and worshippers attach their wishes and sayings on strips of paper. It has a special charm when these branches, hung all over with strips of white paper, sway in the wind and smell wonderfully of incense sticks. Only the swans, which swim so wondrously picturesquely in the small pond between the temple and the high-rise building, are to be regretted, as their refuge is too small - for the space required for a water launch - so that they cannot escape.
Our seminar program was rounded off with a gala dinner, where the main focus was on conversations with other participants and professors. We were so busy with the conversations, the joint singing of the Ikenobō song, a video greeting from Headmistress designate Senko Ikenobō and the photo shoots of our groups that there was hardly any time for a few bites at the buffet in between. After the 126 participants from the 24 chapters and study groups - from a total of 17 countries - had been welcomed and applauded, the event drew to a close and, last but not least, the professors were given a fitting farewell with a round of applause before we took a cab back to our hotels.
Ikenobō also wants to inspire young people: a large poster on the outside wall of the Ikenobō building announces a competition for young people, in which high school students are invited to participate with an ikebana. The headquarters is organizing a competition with several partners under the motto: 'Let it bloom now. Your flower'. Three high school students learning Ikenobō Ikebana form a team, create a work and speak passionately about their feelings in a presentation. It is the only district ikebana tournament of its kind in Japan. Representative teams from 12 districts across the country are invited to this national tournament at Rokkakudō in Kyoto to compete with the best for the Flower of Youth.