SOGETSU IKEBANA: TRANSFORMATION 2021 Photos by Jodie Chiemi Ching
Note: A special exhibit by Sogetsu Ikebana Hawaii was on display from May 25-31 at Nordsrom, Ala Moana. Sogetsu Ikebana is a sculptural and artistic approach to traditional Japanese floral design. Sogetsu is one of the youngest, most avant-garde and most contemporary in design of the various disciplines of ikebana.
The Sogetsu headquarters in Tökyö recently hosted a series of exhibitions without the use of water. Iemoto (Grandmaster) Akane Teshigahara’s vision was to encourage self-reflection during the coronavirus pandemic through art by asking ourselves What can we do in this situation? What should we do?
Artists created their arrangements outside their normal class setting to comply with government mandates to limit gatherings. The art pieces were all made of mostly dry plant material and unconventional materials that do not require water, assembled off-site and transported and set up at Nordstrom in the Ala Moana Shopping Center. This approach challenged the arrangers’ creativity and resourcefulness.Artist: Linda (Kohoh) Tomei. Materials: paper bark tree, agave plant and anthuriums.Artist & Sogetsu instructor: Carole (Kohyo) Sakata. Assisted by Mitsuko (Mirei) Owada. Material: bamboo.Artist Kathy (Kohsen) Pang showed her friend Sharon Tomasa her arrangement titled “Perpetual.” Materials: dried monstera leaves, woven rattan mat and gold bamboo strips.Artist Kathy Pang puts some final touches on her arrangement.Title: “Orbit.” Artist: Pat Kubo. Materials: Palm inflorescence, small vine woven balls, large woven metal balls and midollino.Title: “Technicolor Burst.” Artist: Mary (Kohen) Jones. Materials: dried bottle brush palm, dried autograph seed pod and HVAC adapter parts (metal).
MAY 31: HONORING ANCESTORS, LOVED ONES AND HEROES Photos by Wayne Shinbara
The theme for Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii is “Many Rivers, One Ocean: Share Your Light” reflecting the intention of Shinnyo-en Founder and Master Shinjo Ito: “to offer a space for people to awaken and bring out their shinnyo (inner light), the inherent potential in every living being to make life meaningful for themselves and others.”This year, lighting artist Hideaki “Hide” Tsutsui’s vision of an interactive space of art and light was installed on the grounds of the Shinnyo-en temple in Honolulu. The art installation also features hand-painted murals by Kumu Boz Schurr and students of the Kamehameha Schools Art Club and Mural Club.Visitors made reservations online to visit the display. They could also write messages to honor loved ones lost as part of the interactive experience.On May 31, the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council held its annual flag placement at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl).Scouts across the country continue the tradition of honoring the nation’s fallen heroes every Memorial Day.A floral arrangement to honor the unknown heroes of our nation.
