About Ikebana International Philadelphia #71
Ikebana is the art of Japanese flower arranging. It can be traced back to the Japanese Shinto worship of nature and the Chinese Buddhist tradition of placing flowers on the altar to Buddha. Gradually, this custom filtered down to the people and, in modern times, has lost much of its religious significance. However, the ancient discipline of rules and forms is still observed today in a traditional ikebana arrangement. An ikebana arrangement will usually form some type of asymmetrical triangle. Materials may include leaves, branches, mosses, fruit and vegetables as well as flowers in all their evolving forms. Space between materials and the asymmetry of the design is important to the creation of an ikebana arrangement.
Ikebana International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, cultural and educational organization established in 1956 and headquartered in Tokyo. Our mission is to stimulate, cultivate and perpetuate the study of ikebana, related arts, and culture by demonstrations and public exhibitions, and to strengthen relationships among teachers and students of ikebana with a deeper purpose of establishing better relationships among all peoples through the motto “Friendship Through Flowers”.
The Philadelphia Chapter was founded in 1964. Our members are from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. In September, we begin our year with a luncheon featuring a demonstration by a master ikebana teacher. At the luncheon, members and their guests can become better acquainted and learn more about the up-coming chapter activities. Our yearly schedule consists of monthly chapter meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month. These meetings include: demonstrations by master teachers, lectures on related Asian arts and culture, and afternoon workshops.
Chapter Schools
Members of Ikebana International Philadelphia #71 are involved with the following schools of Ikebana:
As the oldest school, the Ikenobo School is considered to be “the origin of Ikebana”. A wide variety of Rikka, Shoka, and free style arrangements are taught.
The Ohara School focuses on seasonal use of branch and flower material. It expresses the natural environment by emphasizing landscape arrangements.
The Sogetsu School’s distinguishing characteristic is found in its free style and abstract arrangements which use objects of sculptural intent and character.
The Ichiyo School is a modern school which is known for its introduction of contemporary styles such as crossing of lines and arrangements without a pinholder.