“IKEBANA,” Japanese Flower Arrangement

Hands-on Workshop of “IKEBANA,” Japanese Flower Arrangement

 Date：November 29, 2025, 13:30~16:00
Venue：Minato City life-long-learning Centre

Ikebana originated from the custom of offering flowers to Buddha, and the Ikenobo school, the first school of ikebana, is said to have a history of over 500 years. This year, the Minato UNESCO Association held its third annual ikebana experience class, with Mr. Masakazu Nakamura of the Ikenobo Central Training Institute as the instructor. Eighteen participants, including six foreigners, experienced ikebana.

Activities include:

– Explanation of the history and philosophy of ikebana

– Demonstration by the instructor

– Hands-on experience of ikebana (free style arrangement)

　The origins of ikebana can be traced back to the invention of movable type printing and the fall of the Byzantine Empire. Instructor Nakamura explained that in the Ikenobo school of ikebana, it is important to appreciate the natural beauty of plants and trees and to respect nature, not just the form, but also the appearance of the plants. The Ikenobo school’s philosophy of finding beauty not only in blooming flowers, but also in insect-eaten leaves and withered leaves, as they evoke the cycle of life, was refreshing.

　We were given explanations of the floral materials and tools, and points such as imagining the natural appearance of plants and trees when composing an arrangement, and then we watched an ikebana demonstration by Ms. Nakamura. Finally, the participants also worked on creating ikebana using the same floral materials, and each of them created their own works while considering the characteristics of the plants and flowers and the overall balance.

　I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the enthusiastic participants, and to Professor Nakamura for his careful guidance and advice on each and every piece of work by all the participants.

（Written by YOKOI Aya, and translated by MIYASHITA Y., the PR & Internet Committee）