Renewed and updated 18 September 2013, new photos and text added!
Please scroll down for the new additions!
Welcome! Although I have been in love with flowers and plants all my life, it is only 6 years ago I became an Ikenobo addict. This is rather a late start for someone who will be 67 this year, but my teacher Noriko van der Linden-Momose reassuringly tells me that one life is not enough to learn all about Ikenobo. I think I am very fortunate to have found such a good teacher.
I manage to sit down at home about once, sometimes twice a week to arrange flowers, but it is during Noriko's lessons I learn the most, especially from my mistakes. There are plenty of flowergrowers in the Netherlands and consequently material for flower arranging is abundant, varied and not too expensive. The beginners lessons are given at the Shofukan Japan Centre in Rotterdam. The more advanced and ( longer lasting) Rikka lessons are given at Noriko's home during weekends.
As soon as you enter the Shofukan Centre, you feel inspired because a beautiful and genuine Japanese garden welcomes visitors and the interior of the building (an old school) has partly been japanised. In April 2012 the festive opening of a tea-house took place. The structure was built in Japan, shipped to Holland in parts, then re-assembled here. The result is very authentic and the tea-garden is now a true oasis in busy Rotterdam. The Centre offers tea ceremony classes amongst many other activities.
Tea-garden and tea-house at Shofukan, Rotterdam
Every year Shofukan hosts an Ikebana Ikenobo exhibition in September, see the website for dates.
The Dojo at Shofukan with the Autumn exhibition in the process of being installed
A workshop is organised every 3 months in the middle of the country and on average 30 members of our Ikenobo Chapter Nederland attend. It is a good opportunity to chat with other Ikenobo addicts and to be inspired.
Spring workshop 2012: shoka shimputai
I have only received my Jyunkakyo (3rd grade instructor) certificate recently, but I am an enthusiastic student and eager to climb the Ikenobo ladder (gradually). I have experienced that the old Ikenobo publication: "An invitation to Ikenobo", is helpful but I realise that this study is all about practice and more practice and Noriko reminds me often that Ikenobo teachings change all the time reflecting life itself. This is exactly why I want to continue with Ikenobo Ikebana: it is deeply rooted in century old traditions but by no means static or old fashioned.
My passion for Ikenobo is certainly supported by my interest in Japanese aesthetics, (Zen) Buddhism and a long journey I made to Japan in 1978.
I will post photographs of various arrangements in the hope that it will motivate people to learn more about Ikenobo Ikebana and to promote an exchange of ideas, tips and tricks for those who already are as enthusiastic as me. Most of the arrangements were made under guidance of my teacher. However, some created at home were deemed good enough to post on this blog.
I will revise and update this blog quite often as some arrangements that were created in the past are judged differently now as I gain more experience.
