Introductory Class in Ikebana

The Maridon Museum &  the Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter are holding an introductory class in Ikebana on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The class will focus on studying the Sogetsu Ikebana style. Stay tuned for updates!

Workshop participants will learn the foundational techniques of Sogetsu ikebana, enjoy a demonstration by lead sensei, and create their ikebana arrangement with select branches and fresh flowers. Sogetsu Pittsburgh is a collective study group founded in 1990 by Reiko Nakajima and Joan Walter.  Along with studying the Sogetsu Ikebana curriculum through workshops, the group introduces the practice to the public and community through collaborations with various organizations, venues, and artists. Sogetsu is a school of ikebana founded in Japan in 1927 by artist Sofu Teshigahara on the premise that traditional ikebana – originally intended for altars, the tokonoma, and tea ceremonies – could be expanded and be created “anytime, anywhere, by anyone.” Sogetsu incorporates influences, including modern sculpture, abstract art, architecture, and design, while honoring custom and particular techniques.

Kebana, or the “way of flowers,” is a traditional Japanese art form that involves the arrangement of flowers and other natural materials. Its origins can be traced back to the sixth century when China introduced Buddhism to Japan. Simple flower arrangements were a way of honoring Buddha, and this practice became the more formalized art of Ikebana. Today, as a popular living visual art, classical arrangements have evolved to include freestyle, emphasizing shape, line, and form to create a harmonious relationship between the natural materials and the space around them.