Ikebana International London Chapter No. 6
friendship through flowers
Our special thanks to Di Norman, master of the Ohara school for her demonstration after the AGM, providing a stimulating and fascinating review of their history and in particular, the influence of the new fifth headmaster Hiroki Ohara at the grand old age of 26! The first 3 arrangements,were a rimpa, a signature style of Ohara, hana mai ie dancing flowers, then the new style hana kanade with crossing flowers
A most successful demonstration was held in the Brompton Oratory Hall by two of our very talented members – Gaye Henson and Sue Pryke. They were taking the Ikenobo School from its early beginnings to the present day. Sue began with an early Ikenobo style. Then Sue had an illustration of the details of the making of a rikka and the elements it contained which was very enlightening. Earlier Sue and Gaye had made a rikka themselves which was very beautiful. It is the style that is for many people Ikenobo.
Next Gaye and Sue made arrangements in the more modern developments of style.
Ending with a charming double arrangement which included oriental iris seed pods
Congratulations to our members making their first demonstration to I.I. London Chapter
Demonstration by Belinda Jelf :
Belinda delighted us all with a stylish interpretation of the four seasons.
On Tuesday 27th of May 2014
Ikebana International Chapter No 6 held its Annual General Meeting & Demonstration. This year the AGM members only. It was followed by a demonstration.
Firstly, Tricia Hill, President of the Chapter, introduced the demonstrator.
We had a phenomenal audience at the demonstration given by Mr Jeroen Vermaas, a Master of the Ichiyo School of ikebana. Mr Vermaas , who came all the way from the Netherlands, gave us a brilliant and extraordinary presentation. It was based on line balance and construction without a Kenzan.
For his first arrangement he used Begonia leaves and aquilegias as plant material which he placed in a traditional metal ikebana container showing us the simplicity and beauty of the arrangement.
The second arrangement showed a balance between branches, Willow
and delicate Gloriosa which were placed on a ceramic container.
For the third arrangement he used a bamboo container, a balance
Between stones, water, Aspidistras and Gloriosa.
For the Fourth arrangement he used a glass container with a ceramic container on top. For plant material, he used Monstera leaf, Hosta flowers and oncidium Moth orchids.
His fifth arrangement was made using a kenzan
with dry wood and Brugmansia. With delicate red berries in a glass container
On the sixth arrangement, he mounted a glass container over another glass container. He placed very delicate Asparagus plumosus with Peonies coming from Tricia’s garden.
The final arrangement was constructed of a woven Wisteria
basket with a ceramic container placed inside.
The construction wrapped around with Colyrus Avellana Contorta,
bamboo sticks and a Hosta leaf with a flower and red roses which
added a splash of colour to the arrangement.
He had two extra arrangements that he prepared for us before we entered the room, enhancing the room and giving us the atmosphere of his creations. The first was on a bamboo container with red Aspidistras, Asparagus fern plumosus, Moth Orchids and Bamboo shaped into Ovals.
The second arrangement had a Bamboo structure in a ceramic container making the balance with pine, Colyrus Avellana Contorta.
We thanked Mr Vermaas for the wonderful Demonstration.
It was a pleasure for all of us to watch and learn about his brilliant talent and knowledge Of Ikebana, we really enjoyed it.
Sumie Takahashi and Diane Norman gave us some splendid ideas on how to make the best of your moon and the significance of the full moon.
There where many people making moon arrangements and the afternoon was enjoyed by all. We thanks Sumie and Diane for a splendid occasion.
A most successful exhibition of ikebana by members of the I.I. London Chapter was held in the Brompton Oratory Hall on 18th March 2014. Entitled ‘The Delights of Spring’ it was indeed a celebration of the season.
During the exhibition, demonstrations were given by Yuko Gordon of the Sogetsu School; 
by Janet Morgan of the Ohara School and by Marjatta Akhurst of the Ikenobo School.
A selection of images from the exhibition illustrates the high quality of our members work and the enjoyment of members and visitors.
The committee would like to thank all who took part and helped with the staging and r
unning of the exhibition. Click on thumbnail pictures for a larger image.
On Saturday January 18 2014, London Chapter of Ikebana International celebrated the New Year with a luncheon at the Matsuri Restaurant in St. Jame’s.
53 members and guests enjoyed the splendid menu provided and the extra ambiance provided by members ikebana arrangements.
As our lunch was ending Tomoko Kinuta gave a magical recital on the shakuhachi, a Japanese bamboo flute, and on the traditional western flute. It was a great privilege to hear her performance.
On Tuesday, 5th November 2013
Ikebana International London Chapter No. 6 held Ikebana demonstrations
by masters of Sogetsu and Ohara and Ichiyo Schools
with a theme of the Christmas season.
Our first demonstrator was Irene Moore of the Sogetsu School. Irene told a little about the Sogetsu School and its history. her first arrangement was suitable for a large buffet. A beautiful glass ring held pieces of mitsumata and in the centre a poinsettia and a candle were placed – just right for Christmas.
Irene then made a hanging arrangement where a basket was made from covered copper wire and filled with carnations, asparagus fern, roses and leaves. Irene’s last arrangement was very dramatic with wintry branches hung with stars and white chrysanths, holly, red berries and fir cones.
Next, Hisako Bourlet spoke of the Ohara School and its introduction of the moribana arrangements in flat dishes and kenzans. The first of her three arrangements was a new design by the latest headmaster – a crossing style. Hisako used red gerberas, green anthurium, leaves and bleached broom. Next in a striking black and white pot, Hisako placed two ornamental white cabbages and a holly branch with berries. The last arrangement was of yellow roses and a flowing branch across the white bowl.
Lastly, Tineke Robertson made three arrangements of the Ichiyo School. Tineke opted for lights to enhance the Christmas feeling. Her first arrangement however, was a novel idea – making a gold bag around her design of holly, pine, red rose and gypsophila. Then in black containers on a red base, Tineke placed gilded kiwi branches with holly and finished with a pot of white cyclamen, red candles, and silver balls and lights. The last arrangement was of red gerberas in a black pot with pine and red berried skimmia, with small lights overall.
On Wednesday 25th September 2013 the London Chapter of I.I. held a new event. We had a ‘tea party’ meeting other members and exchanging news and views.
This took place at Daiwa Japan House. We began by making 5 different arrangements led by committee members. Meanwhile Pat and Martine prepared the tea which had been brought from Waitrose by Sue.
A thoroughly happy occasion and our thanks go to the committee for their hard work in organising it.
