Filtering by Tag: ikebana

Tantallon Ikebana Exhibition 2026

Added on by the ikebana shop.

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!

JET CanCon 2025 Workshop

Added on by the ikebana shop.

We had the opportunity to present an ikebana workshop to JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme Canada alumni who gathered in Halifax for their annual convention.

As everyone had experience living in Japan, majority have heard about ikebana. They understood easily enough ikebana principles such as creation of negative space (“ma”), asymmetry, etc. And, we were able to intersperse some Japanese language instruction through the workshop as well!

It was a very enjoyable time! We hope the delegates from all over Canada had a fun time in Halifax!

LaHave River Books Ikebana Exhibition

Added on by the ikebana shop.

This year, it seems like our ikebana has a very strong connection with books! After an exhibition at the Sackville Public Library, where we used the shelves as ikebana platforms, we found ourselves at the LaHave River Books, a charming bookstore tucked behind the landmark LaHave Bakery on the South Shore of Nova Scotia.

Before anything, we would like to thank the wonderful people at LaHave River Books: Gael, Marion, Andra, Sylvia, Janet, and Charles. We hope we didn’t make too much of a mess. Your warm welcome made everything so much easier!

The bookstore is housed in an historic building, built in 1901 and originally housed a ship’s chandlery, a general merchant, and a fish processing plant. For a time, the building’s top floor was also home to a branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. In 1985, the LaHave Bakery was established. Not only did it provide delicious bread and pastries, but it has become a hub for the close-knit community to gather. The bookstore was opened later in 2016, taking over the space of a master boat builder after it closed shop.

Miyako and two of her senior students—Susan and Val—took on the challenge to create arrangements that would blend with this place full of memories of times past whilst showing the uniqueness of ikebana as well.

Arrangements by Susan R.

Arrangement with hyrdangeas using no kenzan, showing the beauty of water while viewed from above.

Arrangement to be viewed from above, placed on a low side table.

Using unconventional material: toilet paper rolls! This arrangement was nestled in books. We just moved the arrangement temporarily to the hallway to get a better photo.

This arrangement was created to fit in this narrow bookshelf, with thin driftwood seemingly trying to stretch itself towards the window, beyond the boundaries. Susan has been saving the driftwood just for an opportunity like this!

Arrangements by Val S

A book of Queen Victoria (whose reign ended in 1901, which incidentally was the year the building was constructed) atop a bookshelf, right beside a piece of whale jawbone. Val made it all come together!

The iconic sign of the old chandlery was set between this seemingly unrelated pair of arrangements to produce a unified whole.

Arrangements by Miyako

Miyako’s arrangements were placed on a long table. It was an original table (circa 1970’s) that sat at the Trinity College library in the University of Toronto! In keeping with the theme, she used old books as platforms for her work.

An arrangement using aloe and chili peppers!

Eggs were used for this one to remind us that it was the Easter weekend; whilst the light blue colour reminded us of the LaHave River waters outside.

Calla Lily, Monstera leaf and Wisteria vine.

The dried elephant ear leaf seemed to float lightly, like the wing of a bird.

Two tall arrangements: one in a bamboo basket and the other in a Sogetsu steel vase.

Live Demonstration by Miyako

We were so happy that the demonstration was very well attended. The community here in LaHave is really special. Thank you very much for coming!

Photo courtesy of Rene Saulnier. Thank you!

And here is a special guest: Becky. She is rumoured to be the real boss of LaHave Bakery.

Added on May 1st, 2025…
We made it to the South Shore Bulletin, Apr 30, 2025 print edition, page 19! Thank you!

The Ohara Ikebana Exhibition Apr-2024

Added on by the ikebana shop.

The wonderful thing about being in Japan is that there are many ikebana-related events happening year-round.

We were fortunate to be in Tokyo when the Ohara Ikebana exhibition was happening at the Takashimaya Shinjuku department store (Apr 11-16, 2024).

Please enjoy some of the exquisite works at the exhibition!

Exploring Japanese Culture at Ross Creek

Added on by the ikebana shop.

The Ross Creek Centre For The Arts is a not-for-profit organization with the noble mission to provide arts education to youth, nurturing the next generation artists through various programs in performing/visual arts, crafts, and even gardening/cooking! Many professional artists from all over also visit the Centre through their residency/retreat programs. This offers valuable opportunities for the youth to interact with established artists.

Last Sunday (Apr 7th, 2019), the Centre hosted a community event-- Exploring Japanese Culture. We were honoured to present an ikebana demonstration. The beautiful facility is tucked away in a small corner of the Annapolis Valley in Canning, NS, about 1.5 hrs drive from Halifax. For first-time visitors like us, the area felt remote. Would people really go there? Our concern was unfounded! The turnout was great and we found a very vibrant and involved community. The ikebana demonstration was well-received as was the chanoyu (tea ceremony) presentation after us.

Thank you Chris, Ken, Kathleen (wonderful food...and your Japanese cheesecake is to die for!) and the rest of the Ross Creek staff for your very warm welcome! We enjoyed ourselves immensely.

 

Press Release: Surprise! - An Ikebana Exhibition

Added on by the ikebana shop.

For Immediate Release - Apr 7th, 2019

Surprise! - An Ikebana Exhibition will be held at the Keshen Goodman Library lobby on Mothers’ Day weekend (May 10-12, 2019).

Ikebana is the art of Japanese floral arrangement. This year’s theme is “surprise”. The exhibition hopefully will surprise you with ideas on what you can do with the blooms and branches in your backyard!

This event is part of the 90th anniversary celebration of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations.

The exhibition will be presented by Miyako Ballesteros (Sogetsu School of Ikebana) and her students. Please come and enjoy the ikebana.

Admission is free.

Surprise! - An Ikebana Exhibition

May 10th (Fri) 12 - 5 p.m.
May 11th (Sat) 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. *
May 12th (Sun) 2 - 5 p.m.
*Short live demonstration on Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

At the Keshen Goodman Library lobby. (330 Lacewood Dr., Halifax NS)

We hope to see you there.

Demo At The Mahone Bay Garden Club

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Thank you very much to the Mahone Bay Garden Club for your warm welcome last night!

We were very happy for the opportunity to introduce ikebana to you.  We loved your insightful questions and sharp observations!  We hope you enjoyed our presentation!

Maybe we'll see some of you in our ikebana lessons one day!