Japan
Chapter Dear Members,
Activities
70th Anniversary
husband and has taught ikebana for the last 61 years. Consul General of Japan Takamichi Okabe gave a special talk on Nepalese Buddhism, followed by the performance of a Nepalese Buddhist dance.
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In front of the Hanaguruma arrangement are (r to l) Master Teacher Etsuho Kakihana, Setsuho Horii, Michiho Umezu, and Kazuho Kamimura
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Geneva #143 Switzerland
Geneva Chapter was privileged to be invited as guest of honor for the 475th Hospice Général anniversary in the CAD’s garden in Grand-Laney, Geneva. This was our premiere open-air exhibition. A total of 27 participants created 16 arrangements, representing the Sogetsu, Ikenobo, and Ohara schools. The organization was under the direction of Christine Michaillat, assisted by Ursula Papazian. It was a thrilling experience, and we all enjoyed it immensely. It was such a pleasure to work in this beautiful garden, and we received a very warm welcome from Mr. Perrot, the administrator, and his colleagues. During the eight days of the exhibition more than 2,000 persons came to visit the event.
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Milwaukee Chapter exhibition at the Wisonsin State Fair
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Portland
The 70th anniversar y of the North American branch of the Saga Goryu School in Portland, Oregon, was celebrated at the Henjyoji temple for three days from November 5 to 7, 2010. Master teachers Etsuho Kakihana, Michiho Uezu, Setsuho Horii, and Kazuho Kamimura represented Saga Goyu headquartera in Kyoto. During their special visit, they conducted two workshops and oversaw the preparation of the two-day ikebana exhibition at the temple to celebrate the special occasion. Saga Goryu school in Portland was originally established by the late Bishop Henjyoji seventy years ago. A little later, Mrs. Wako Henjyoji joined her
Milwaukee Chapter members made 28 ikebana arrangements for public display at the Wisconsin State Fair. Approximately 30,000 people viewed the display during the chapter’s three-day participation. Chapter members took turns hosting to answer questions about ikebana, the arrangements, and chapter membership.
Open-air exhibition in a beautiful garden
Spontaneous Creativity—An Ikebana Challenge
Middle Georgia
Portland #47 USA
Wienczyslawa Sato International President Tokyo, April 2011
Milwaukee #22 USA
Geneva
shops open for a shorter time during the day. But when we consider those who lost everything—homes, family members and friends—our sacrifice is irrelevant. The issue of tsunami damage to the nuclear power plant is much wider than a regional Japanese problem. It has served as a focus for a healthy assessment of mankind’s energy needs and how these can be met most efficiently, effectively, economically, and safely. Life is returning to normal in Tokyo and the surrounding cities. Domestic news coverage of the destroyed towns and the victims of the disaster is a daily experience, and we pray for those who lost their homes and loved ones. Commentators say that life will never return to what it was before in the affected areas. We hope that the entire country quickly heals and that we will meet at our next convention in a year’s time.
Wisconsin State Fair Milwaukee
We would like to express our great appreciation for your kind letters of support and sympathy. They reassure and strengthen us. Your support means so much, especially at this difficult time. The destruction resulting from the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami has deeply affected all residents of Japan. Media coverage of the unthinkable devastation has been worldwide, and the supportive responses from all corners of the planet have strengthened our faith in the goodness of people and laid a foundation for reconstruction and healing. The Greater Tokyo region received but minor damage, though telephones and mobile phones were disconnected, public transport was shut down temporarily, and there was very little gasoline and kerosene for heating. Due to the shutting down of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, saving electricity has become part of daily life. The power supply is rationed with scheduled three-hour blackouts in various regions when necessary, the number of commuter trains is reduced, and
I k e b a n a I n t e r n a t i o n a l | Vol. 55 Issue 2, April 2011
MIddle Georgia #112 USA
Ms. Donna Scott, chapter president and Ichiyo School instructor, suggested the topic for Middle Georga Chapter’s meeting on Nov. 18, 2010: Spontaneous Creativity—An Ikebana Challenge. Chapter members were asked to bring a container of their choice and sufficient line material and flowers to create one ikebana. Each container with its corresponding material was assigned a number. Members then drew numbers to determine which container and materials they would receive to create their arrangement. The arrangements were displayed in the meeting room, and everyone had the opportunity to describe her arrangement and describe any challenge presented by the container or the materials used. Chapter members clearly enjoyed creating their “challenge arrangement.”
1 Flyer for Geneva Chapter’s open-air exhibition