May 2025 Workshop - Ikenobo Ikebana

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May Workshop: IKENOBO - JIYUKA (FREESTYLE)

Our May program was taught by Ikenobo sensei Cheryl Linck. Ikenobo, the oldest Ikebana school, has expanded into modern forms. Cheryl guided us in creating one of these as a Jiyuka(freestyle) form.  This modern Ikenobo style is based on Shoka Shimputai principles (a form with two main branch elements representing Yin and Yang and a third helper). Following the more relaxed Shoka Shimputai freestyle guidelines, beautiful Ikebana forms were created using three complementary materials - a star, co-star and supporting actor

March Workshop: ICHIYO - LEAF MANIPULATION

We had a wonderful March Chapter meeting...lots going on. Liz Larwa and Terre Voegeli, both teachers in the Ichiyo School of Ikebana, led a very interesting workshop with a focus on manipulating leaves to change their character.  We celebrated Hinamatsuri, which was earlier this month, with Chris sharing her Hinadan display and Junko explaining the significance of it.  Katie brought delicious tea she brought back from Japan and served it in her beautiful collection of tea cups.  We had a local potter as well as some of our own containers for sale. 

February Workshop: 

IKENOBO: Freestyle (Jiyuka) With Spring Materials

As we begin our exit of the winter months, Pat Lang, our Ikenobo teacher from the Detroit chapter, led the February workshop with a Jiyuka or freestyle form using Spring materials.

Ikenobo is the earliest style of Ikebana and its first school, laying the foundation for all other ikenobo schools.

The focus of this freestyle Ikenobo upright arrangement are line, surface, mass and dots to create an emotive character between the vase and the floral materials. 

The form is further enhanced through the use of negative space and odd numbers of materials

December Workshop: 

ICHIYO: HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE

For our December meeting, we enjoyed a delicious potluck and enjoyed the time to get to know each other. This was followed by our December workshop. 

Liz Larwa led us through steps to create of holiday season centerpieces. 

These Ikebana forms are symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements suitable for a dining table or a coffee table. The basis or our arrangements were one or two branches, greens, and various floral material. 

November Workshop:

SOGETSU: VERTICAL COMPOSITION 3-1

Leslie Rosinski, our Sogetsu School Sensei, led this interesting and beautiful workshop with focus on the vertical line. 

Everything begins with careful observation of the beauty within our plant materials. Conscious of the natural lines they originally have and their power which reaches upwards. 

The moribana containers provide a grounding effect which enhance the vertical feel and flow of the arrangements.

August Workshop: Ichiyo Summer Freestyle using Placemats

For our August meeting, Liz Larwa, our chapter president and an instructor in the Ichiyo School of Ikebana, taught a workshop on exploring use of placemats in creating or enhance an arrangement. Encouraging us to stretch our brains and think outside of the containers, Liz’s workshop explored how to use several different styles and colors of placemats in unique ways. Materials utilized were light, airy, and seasonal such as: grasses, hydrangeas, Hosta, zinnia, interesting branches, or anything that feels summery. 

June Workshop: Ichiyo Flat Form

For our June meeting, Terre Voegeli, Ichiyo Associate Master, taught us how to create a "Flat Form" Ikebana arrangement. 

This form, short in height,  emphasizes width of composition. It can be created in one large container or two containers.

March Workshop: Ichiyo Ikebana -  Spring Basket

Ichiyo Associate Master Liz Larwa. Liz led the workshop on Spring Baskets just in time for Seasonal or Easter displays in the home. 

As an art form, Ikebana can be displayed on tables, counters, mantels or any other spot that lends itself to flowers.