My Ikebana Journey

Submitted by: Cres Motzi AIFD, EMC

The road that led to my current involvement in Ikebana was not a straight one. A six-week Ikebana course was part of the core curriculum when I pursued the Certificate of Merit in Floral Design from Longwood Gardens in 2002. I took the introductory course because it was a requirement. I was more interested in European/western-style designs then, however the broad-based curriculum provided the basics and laid the foundation for the time when I would be reacquainted with Ikebana.

Soho Sakai AIFD, Riji, presented a stage program at the AIFD^® National Symposium. Her designs were creative and wonderful. I loved them all. Thus began my reintroduction to the Japanese artform of flower arranging. Several of us formed a small study group and traveled west to study with Soho Sensei annually starting in 2012. At around the same period, I returned to study with Midori Tanimune, Komon, the wonderful Sogetsu Ikebana teacher from my Longwood days. She became a much-loved mentor.

Soho Sensei who is the teacher/advisor of one of the largest Sogetsu* Ikebana study groups, taught private workshops and at the City College of San Francisco. She’s known for her artistic and inspirational designs at demonstrations and exhibitions. The weeklong workshops consisted of four arrangements from the Sogetsu curriculum with demonstrations and hands-on practicum daily. Soho Sensei made each lesson memorable with her witty and insightful comments and instruction. They were intense, but so much fun. I learned and grew in my appreciation for and the practice of Sogetsu Ikebana.

My journey led me to Ikebana International and Sogetsu Brandywine Study Group, two groups that focus on furthering the art by educating their members and the public through demonstrations, workshops, lectures, and exhibitions. I am involved in exhibiting with both groups in venues like the Philadelphia Flower Show, the Delaware Center of Horticulture and the Delaware Contemporary. As one of the member teachers, I present workshops for the Study Group as needed. Having been trained in both Ikebana and western-style designs also provides opportunities to present demonstrations that are east meets west oriented, which are both fun and interesting.

Ikebana is a lifelong pursuit. I have learned much, but there is still much more yet to explore. To that end, I decided to pursue my Sogetsu Ikebana credential to start teaching. I have discovered that there is joy and satisfaction in sharing what I know, but in order to teach a subject matter well, I have to learn it well. I am looking forward to new discoveries as I continue on this adventure. *The Sogetsu School of Ikebana is considered one of the most creative schools of Ikebana, creativity that is born out of consistent study and practice of basic and variation styles. “Sogetsu Ikebana can be created anytime, anywhere, by anyone in any part of the world, and with any kind of material” is the motto of the school.