One of my students recently shared some Japanese Anemone flowers (秋明菊 シュウメイギク) from her garden. They were a beautiful light purple-pink bloom. I also love how dense and firm the leaves were!
I hope you like it. —Miyako
JMSDF Training Squadron Visits Halifax
Two ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron made an official port call at Halifax, Aug 9-12, 2026. The flagship JS Kashima is a dedicated training vessel for the fleet. The JS Yamagiri is an Asagiri-type destroyer, which has seen actual deployment in JMSDF missions. The last time the Training Squadron visited Halifax was back in 2013. (See here.)
JS Yamagiri (L) and JS Kashima (R)
Arrival
Rear Admiral Ryoko Azuma receives flowers from the Japanese Society of Halifax. Looking on are Senator Stan Kutcher, the newly appointed Honorary Consul General of Japan in Halifax NS and Mr. Akihiko Uchikawa, Consul General of Japan in Montreal.
Ship Tour
62-caliber gun that fires 76mm rounds. Auto-fire up to 100 rounds non-stop!
The bridge.
Playing captain! LOL
Other Activities
During their visit here, members of the JMSDF, alongside the Royal Canadian Navy, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Sailors’ Memorial in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax. CTV News article here.
The JMSDF crew also presented a taiko Japanese drum performance at the Grand Parade, Halifax. Click here to see some videos. (Video credit to Brian White.)
Departure
We wish you safe travels in your next adventures. We hope we can meet again someday!
Tantallon Ikebana Exhibition 2026
Our ikebana exhibition was held on May 21-23, 2026 at the Tantallon Public Library. Exhibitions are always a special time for our students as this is the stage where they can display what they have learned. Each student designed their own arrangement(s) from scratch. They all stepped up to the challenge! It was a great success and we thank everyone who visited us. We hope you enjoyed the ikebana!
We’d like to thank Emma B and Jasmine Z for offering the library’s generous support. We love working with you!
This year, we prepared a hana-guruma 花車 (“flower cart”) as the central piece. The actual cart design hails back from the Heian Period (794-1185). It is an ox-drawn cart used to transport the nobility.
Now, the cart is filled with flowers and transformed into hana-guruma meaning "flower cart”. It represents a traditional motif of elegance, prosperity, and seasonal beauty. The hana-guruma pattern is frequently found in textiles, art, and crafts.
Hana-Guruma Arrangement by Miyako
Arrangement by Susan R
Wall Arrangement by Susan R
Arrangement by Val S
Basket Arrangement by Miyako
Wall Arrangement by Val S
Arrangement by Brenda D
Arrangement by Michelle J
Arrangement by Robert L
Arrangement by Michelle C
Arrangement by Miyako
Arrangement by Miyako
Basket Arrangement by Miyako
Pair Arrangement by Odessa G
Wall Arrangement by Miyako
Arrangement by Leo A
Arrangement by Susan R
Arrangement by Brenda D
Arrangement by Robert L
Ikebana Demonstration by Miyako
The demonstration was well attended. The Library folks even offered coffee to the guests. What hospitality!
Shop Holiday
We are taking a break for some much needed rest!
The bricks-and-mortar shop will be closed from Feb 25th to Mar 10th, 2026.
We will not be able to process any online orders during this period as well.
Thank you for your understanding. We will be back refreshed!
My Ikebana: Curly Branch
Just having fun with a curly branch!
I hope you like it. —Miyako
Happy New Year 2026!
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!
明けましておめでとうございます！
We thank you for all your support in 2025. Let’s hit the ground galloping in the Year of the Horse into even more greener pastures!
Green Tea From Shizuoka
In Japan, the 3 most famous teas are said to be those produced in Uji (Kyoto), Sayama (Saitama) and Shizuoka. Many years ago, we brought in green tea from Uji, Kyoto. Perhaps, it was only appropriate to start with Uji as it is known as the birth place of Japanese tea; but now, we think our customers are ready to try other green teas produced outside of Uji.
This year we travelled to Shizuoka and visited a local tea fair there. Shizuoka Prefecture is nestled at the foot of the Mt. Fuji. Just like Uji, tea culture is quite prevalant there, even tangible.
Mt. Fuji
Ladies on their way to a tea ceremony.
Many places selling different types/grades of green tea. Also selling all sorts of yokan (a sweet jellied red bean snack that goes well with green tea!)
Different varieties/grades of tea!
Yokan.
It was an educational trip where we saw how green tea is kneaded and rolled after the steaming process. We got to taste different teas as well!
“Massaging” tea leaves after steaming.
Tea tasting!
We introduce to you matcha from Asahina, Shizuoka! Asahina is an area of Shizuoka well-known for high quality matcha and gyokuro. We brought 3 different grades of matcha for you to try: culinary, superior, and premium.
Our Matcha line-up from Asahina, Shizuoka.
We also have a fukamushi (deep-steamed) green tea from Kakegawa, Shizuoka. Please try and compare the difference with our Uji tea! Kakegawa is the area of Shizuoka famous for fukamushi teas!
Kagoyose Fukamushi Tea from Kakegawa, Shizuoka.
The flower from Camellia Sinensis, the tea plant.
We hope to gradually introduce more green tea from Shizuoka. Please try them. We hope you will love them as much as our teas from Uji!
2025 Year-End Store Hours
My Ikebana: The Last Apples
This arrangement was created near the end of autumn when the apples had started falling from the trees.
I hope you like it. —Miyako
My Ikebana: At Sogetsu HQ Oct-Nov, 2025
It is always a pleasure to visit and take lessons from the masters at the Sogetsu Headquarters in Tokyo. Flower material is always abundant and sometimes it feels like we have too many choices!
Here are the arrangements I worked on this time around.
27-Oct-2025
This one uses an interesting plant. Gomphocarpus physocarpus, the balloon plant. Japanese name: フウセントウワタ (“fuusentouwata”)
10-Nov-2025
I hope you like them. —Miyako