Filtering by Category: ikebana

My Ikebana: Tsubo on TV

Added on by the ikebana shop.

In the Season 8 opener of CBC’s hit comedy series “Mr. D”, the main character, Gerry, goes to Tokyo to seek his fortune. Here is a screenshot of a scene set in a Tokyo apartment. Do you see the ikebana?

Screenshot from “Mr. D”, Season 8, Ep 1, aired on Nov 7th, 2018.  Watch the episode here. (For Canadian audiences only.)

Screenshot from “Mr. D”, Season 8, Ep 1, aired on Nov 7th, 2018.
Watch the episode here. (For Canadian audiences only.)

“Mr. D” is actually shot here in Halifax and the school they use for most of the scenes is located a few blocks from our shop! The set department did a wonderful job of re-creating the inside of a Tokyo apartment here in Halifax. We were honoured to help with this by providing an ikebana arrangement to the set.

Photo courtesy of Barb L. Thank you!

We hope you enjoyed the show….and liked the ikebana!

My Ikebana: Dry Corn

Added on by the ikebana shop.

In ikebana, we like to use seasonal materials to remind us of our connection with nature and to make us aware of the passage of time. In autumn in Nova Scotia brings out pumpkins, squashes and dry corn, used for displays to celebrate the autumn harvest.

In this arrangement, I use some dry corn, which could be found in any market in the fall.

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it. —Miyako

My Ikebana: Branches and Sunflower

Added on by the ikebana shop.

In Sogetsu's Textbook 5, the theme of "Composing With Branches" (木の構成とその展開) requires a two-step approach. 

First, a free-standing structure of branches only is created. 

Then, plant materials are added to enhance and complete the composition. 

I hope you like it. --Miyako

My Ikebana: Lily on Black and White

Added on by the ikebana shop.

This is a composition using unconventional materials--a piece of black board and a white board with a round hole, which is a part used to secure an air-conditioner's ventilation duct!

Together with a white container, I constructed a black-and-white background with a geometric nuance.

Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it.  --Miyako

My Ikebana: Maple And Mum

Added on by the ikebana shop.

This arrangement uses maple branches just as the leaves are sprouting.  The green spider mums on the edge serves to connect the maple branch and the container.  The gypsophilia keeps the arrangement fluffy and light.

The bottom part of the container is intentionally left empty, showing only the anchored maple branches.  It provides a gentle climbing feeling to the arrangement.

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Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it.  --Miyako

My Ikebana: Rhody and Lily

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Every year, when it's time to prune the rhododendron bushes in Halifax, we are fortunate to have friends who generously allow us to clip away as many branches as we like! (Thank you Sue C.!)

Even the worm-eaten leaves are appreciated in ikebana.

I put together a simple arrangement of rhododendron and lily.  Here is the whole arrangement.

I hope you like it.  --Miyako

My Ikebana: No Kenzan With Wisteria

Added on by the ikebana shop.

In ikebana, water not only serves as a means to sustain the flowers. Water in itself is usually an integral part of the arrangement.  Arrangements using suiban (flat containers) without kenzan allow us to appreciate the beauty and clarity of the water more precisely because it there is no kenzan to distract us!

 

This arrangement uses wisteria branches to create the structure.  Chrysanthemum and eryngium add colour and character.

Here is the whole arrangement.

 

I hope you like it.  --Miyako

My Ikebana: Watering Cans As Container

Added on by the ikebana shop.
 
Green bamboo tubes and simple rustic jars also make the best containers.
— #32 from The Fifty Principles of Sogetsu, Textbook 5
 

Taking inspiration from this principle, I look around the studio to see what can be used as an unlikely container.  And right there in front of me are the watering cans that we use for our ikebana lessons!  They usually play a supporting role in our ikebana; but today, they are the stars!

Here is the arrangement.

 

I hope you like it.  --Miyako

Friendship: Ikebana Exhibition

Added on by the ikebana shop.

The Friendship: Ikebana Exhibition was held for 2 days (May 26-27, 2018) at the Halifax Central Library.  Miyako and her students shared their ikebana to the Halifax public not only by showing their work but also by being there to talk about ikebana with the people who came by.  We are very happy that many people visited to enjoy and learn about ikebana.  The live demonstration was a quite a draw as well! Thank you to all who visited us!

Photo credit: Media C.

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This exhibit is also part of the celebrations across Canada commemorating the 90th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations. Incidentally, 10 years ago, Miyako held a solo ikebana exhibit to commemorate the 80th anniversary!  (Click here to see the 2008 exhibit.)

We are extremely grateful to the Halifax Public Libraries who generously allowed us to use their beautiful space at the Central Branch.  Special thanks to Hilary S-N, programming manager, who was very patient and helpful with our numerous little requests as we prepared for the exhibit.  As well, our huge thanks to Joanne and Heather who were wonderful during the set-up and exhibit days. Everything went smoothly because of you!

Our sincere thanks to: Val S., Media C., Robert L., Odessa G., M.S., and Cody O.  They worked hard for this exhibit: designing arrangements and staying on during the exhibit to help explain what ikebana is all about to our curious visitors.  Your dedication and hard work in the study of ikebana has not gone unnoticed and seeing how people enjoyed and appreciated your work is great validation of your ikebana!  


Joint Arrangement by Miyako and Val S.


Arrangements by Val S.


Arrangements by Media C.


Arrangement by Robert L.


Arrangement by Odessa G.


Arrangement by M.S.


Arrangement by Cody O.


Arrangement by Miyako


Thank you all for coming!  We hope you enjoyed our little ikebana exhibition.  We hope to do another one some time soon!

Press Release: Ikebana Exhibition in Halifax

Added on by the ikebana shop.

For Immediate Release - May 22nd, 2018

Friendship - Ikebana Exhibition will be held at the Halifax Central Library lobby this coming weekend (May 26-27).

Ikebana is the art of Japanese floral arrangement.  Although ubiquitous in Japan, authentic ikebana is not often seen in Halifax.  This exhibition offers a rare glimpse of what ikebana is like...and a glimpse of one facet of Japanese culture.

2018 is the 90th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations.  Across Canada, there are many events happening to commemorate this milestone. Through this exhibition, Halifax joins in the Canada-wide celebrations.

More information about the 90th anniversary here.
List of other events in our region here. (Note that NS is overseen by the Consulate General of Japan in Montreal.)

The exhibition will be presented by Miyako Ballesteros (Sogetsu School of Ikebana) and her students.  Back in 2008, Miyako held her first solo exhibit in Halifax in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations!  From then on, she started teaching ikebana and now 10 years later, she and her students will share with Halifax their ikebana.

Admission is free.
 

Friendship - Ikebana Exhibition

May 26th (Sat) 12 - 6 p.m.
May 27th (Sun) 12 - 5 p.m.
  (Short live demonstration on Sunday, 2 p.m.)

At the Halifax Central Library lobby. (5440 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax NS)

We hope to see you there.