LATE SUMMER GRASSES

The March meeting was attended by 26 members of the Melbourne Chapter along with our patron Mrs Shimada, the wife of the Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne. With the ending of Covid lockdown restrictions this was the first occasion or many members to meet our current patron.

The meeting began with a brief presentation offering some tips for photographing ikebana, given by Christopher James, the Director of the Victorian Branch of the Sogetsu School. The summary of his advice was: 1) Choose a plain background. 2) Use the brightest light available. 3) Low camera angle. 4) Keep sufficient distance (then zoom in). 5) Allow space for the ikebana to "breathe".

The presentation was followed by an ikebana demonstration given by Angeline Lo, who arranged materials on the theme of "Late Summer Grasses". Angeline chose a turquoise glazed suiban to contrast with the flowers she included in her ikebana.

This is Angeline's completed Ikebana using a variety of materials in her "Late Summer Grasses". In this ikebana, annual flowers, come under the traditional Japanese category of "Grasses". The traditional "Seven Grasses of Autumn" are: Chrysanthemum, Pampas grass, Bush clover, Queen Anne's lace, Bell flower, Eupatorium, and Sedge.

Following the demonstration members spoke about the ikebana that they had created before the meeting began, which are shown below.

Christopher James, Sogetsu School.

Jo Tan, Ohara School.

Felicia Huang, Ohara School.

Emily Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu School.

Lucy Papas, Sogetsu School.

Chieko Yazaki, Shogetsudo Koryu.

Sally Wilkinson, Ohara School.

Greta Young, Sogetsu School.

Trish Ward, Sogetsu School.

Betty Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu School.

Julie Ireland, Sogetsu School.

Nicole MacDonald, Sogetsu School.

Margaret Leung, Sogetsu School.

Thea Sartori, Sogetsu School.

Marjorie Campkin-Smith, Sogetsu School.