Filtering by Tag: ikebana

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!

Caring For Your Ikebana Clippers

Added on by the ikebana shop.

For the serious ikebana practitioner, a pair of trusty ikebana clippers is an indispensable tool.  The clippers are an extension of one's hands.  And so, we must treat them like our hands.  If our hands are dirty, we wash them. If our hands are wet, we dry them.  So must we with our ikebana clippers!

Keep the clippers clean.
Stains from plants, sap from branches, etc... they will stick to your clippers. Accumulated dirt and stains will also hamper the functionality of your clippers.  

Clean your clippers after each use. We're not saying that we should emulate the consummate sushi chef who wipes his beloved knife after each slice of fish; but after finishing your arrangement, cleaning the clippers must be automatic.  (So is cleaning up your work area, wiping down the table, disposing of unwanted twigs and leaves, etc for that matter!)

Besides, clippers look prettier when clean!

Keep The Clippers Dry
Most ikebana clippers are made with high carbon steel.  They are tough and could cut thick branches.  But, they are also prone to rust.

After use, you can run some water over your clippers to wash them.  The important thing is to dry them afterwards.  Use a dry towel to wipe off water.  Do not immediately stow them in their case.  Make sure they are completely free of moisture before putting them away. 

If you are not planning to use your clippers in a while, put a sheen of oil over the blades.  Cover every bit of the blades and make sure to put a few drops on the joint and rivets too.  

 

 

A very short primer on rusting: water+oxygen on steel = rust! Water is the catalyst for the oxidation process that produces "hydrated iron oxide"...a.k.a. rust!  Oil and water do not mix. A protective coating of oil stops water from seeping through to the steel. It also protects your blades from the moisture found in the air.

 

You wouldn't this to happen to your clippers!

Don't Forget The Small Towel
When practicing ikebana, always have a small towel for your clippers on the table.  The obvious reason is so that you can wipe the blades clean any time you need to do so.  It also comes in handy to clean up water splashes.  But, there is another equally important reason to have the small towel around.  Every time you need to put your clippers down, place them gently on the towel...never directly on the table.

The towel muffles the sound when the clippers hit the table.  Imagine a roomful of ikebana students, all producing loud clattering noises as they put their clippers down.  It is very distracting and disruptive to the serenity of the class.  Using a towel to soften the noise is a sign of respect towards your teacher and fellow students.  As well, it protects the table from nicks and scratches!

Don't Wiggle!
Did you notice that ikebana clippers have a joint that is a bit looser than those of a pair of scissors or even floral clippers?  Ikebana clippers also do not have an embedded spring grip that limit how wide you can open it. This is because they are made to cut not only flower stems but also thicker branches.  Ikebana clippers are tough and strong.  However, there are limits and if the branch is too thick, then better use a bigger tool like a handsaw to cut it.  Do not twist the clippers left and right in an effort to sever the branch.  This action, done often enough, would loosen the joint too much and damage your clippers.  

Also, avoid using the clippers to cut other things other than plant material.  Unless your clippers have a wire-cutting notch, snipping floral wires is not recommended.

Let The Pros Do It
As with any blade, ikebana clippers will lose their edge in due course. Ikebana clippers have an asymmetrical bevel.  Burr may have to be removed on the other side but actual sharpening should be done only on one side.  Incorrect sharpening will change the original grind and will affect the functionality of your clippers.  If you are not sure how to do it, then just let a professional blade sharpener do it.  And if you need to find one in Halifax, click here!

Cover Up!
We all know that serious ikebana practitioners always have their clippers handy.  A simple clipper cover is convenient and easy to use. It will protect you from injury and your bag's contents from damage.

 

A good pair of ikebana clippers will last a long time.  Through years of constant use, they will lose their lustre in parts. They might even gain a few hard-to-remove stains.  That means those clippers are slowly getting their unique character and soon they will become like an old friend and trusty companion.  So let's make sure we show our clippers tender and loving care!