By Janet Black AIFD, Historian 2026-27
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The year was 1987, and the American Institute of Floral Designers held its Symposium at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. The theme was Flor/Expo. Teresa Riddle AIFD Life Fellow, was the President at the time. AIFD was celebrating the hardy souls who helped create the first twenty years of National Symposia. Wow, if they could all see us now!
I wanted to highlight one of the designers, Osamu Honjo, AIFD. He created a luncheon décor entitled “Asian Impressions.” Osamu had been a member for only three years when he tackled this project. Mr. Honjo is a native of Japan and studied Ikebana for seven years at the Ohara School, achieving 3rd Master. At the time, he was a father of two and had come to America in 1997. Some of his awards include the Selo Cup (1985), the SAF Sylvia Award (1984), and FTD America’s Cup District IOA, B (1984), Silk ’91and ‘92 International Silk Convention Fame Award Winner. In Osamu’s design studio, “Décor by Osamu,” was located in Glendale, California. His floral projects included work with major motion picture companies, department stores, and special events in Southern California.
Currently, an AIFD LIFE member for 42 years and residing in Monterey Park, CA. Osamu continues to teach floral design and shares the “Artful flower arranging and finding joy in every petal.”
