IMG:two thin long grass with dark blue lower Japanese style arrangement

Ikenobō Ikebana: Demonstration & Display Series

Discover the Japanese art of ikebana in a series of demonstrations and displays at Japan House London led by Kikuchi Junko, professor and teacher of Ikenobō, the oldest and largest school of ikebana

Ikebana, often translated as ‘giving life to flowers’, is the Japanese art of floral design, also known as kadō (lit. ‘the way of flowers’). In ikebana, cut stems, leaves and flowers of seasonal plants are arranged in vases and other vessels, creating an aesthetic balance between the flowers, vessel and the surrounding space. 

The origins of ikebana stretch back over 500 years when the first ikebana school, Ikenobō, was established by Buddhist priests at the Rokkaku-dō temple in Kyoto. Since its early origins, ikebana has evolved into different schools, each with their own distinctive styles. Today there are thought to be over 3000 ikebana schools in Japan, all tracing their history back to Ikenobō. 

During each event at Japan House, Kikuchi Junko gives an introduction to Ikenobō and kadō and creates a selection of floral arrangements, explaining the central concepts of each style. Guests are encouraged to ask questions during the demonstrations. 

After each event, the arrangements will remain on display in the Ground Floor Shop for visitors to enjoy until the following Sunday at 17:00. 

 

Booking Essential | Admission Free

*Spaces for each demonstration are limited.Booking tickets for demonstrations

 

About the speaker
Kikuchi Junko

Kikuchi Junko has studied Japanese floral art for 40 years and is a professor of the Ikenobō School of Ikebana. Originally from Tokyo, her passion for ikebana started aged 15 with the Sōgetsu School. She then switched to the Ikenobō School and qualified as an Ikenobō instructor in 1982. She became a professor of Ikenobō School in 2000 and was awarded the most senior professor diploma in 2016. She has taught ikebana in the UK for over 20 years and still regularly attends ikebana seminars at the Ikenobō headquarters at Rokkaku-dō Temple in Kyoto. She was elected as President of Ikebana International London Chapter 2010-2013 and in 2012 she founded the Ikenobō Hananowa London Study Group.