JAPANESE DAY

For the theme of Japanese Day on 12th April, attendees at the meeting were treated to a demonstration by five Japanese members of the Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International. The presenters created ikebana arrangements. However, they did not use vases on this occasion but rather used other cultural items from Japan for their work.

The presenters after completing the demonstrations. From the left, Yuko Asano, Chiemi Daly, Rie Sasaki, Reiko Ito, Chieko Yazaki. 

Below are photos of the demonstrators ikebana.

Chieko Yazaki, Shogetsudo Koryu.

Cultural items, a paper box and a tea canister made of Cherry bark (Kaba zaiku).

Chieko Yazaki, Shogetsudo Koryu.

Cultural item, an octopus trap jar.

Chiemi Daly, Shogetsudo Koryu.

Cultural item, a Kutani like ceramic bowl.

Chiemi Daly, Shogetsudo Koryu.

Cultural item, a lacquer jubako.

Rie Sasaki, Ichiyo School.

Cultural item, hibachi.

Rie Sasaki, Ichiyo School.

Cultural item, nodate set for picnic tea ceremony.

Reiko Ito, Sogetsu School.

Cultural item, dancing fans & box of wooden mosaic work (Yosegi zaiku).

Yuko Asano, Wafu School.
Cultural item, a bamboo lamp shade.

Below are photos of the members' ikebana from the meeting.

Wendy Sun.

Trish Ward.

Thea Sartori

Rosemary Wilkinson

Rachel Lok

Nicole MacDonald

Marjorie Campkin-Smith

Margaret Wilson

Margaret Leung

Lara Telford

Kaye Wong

Julie Ireland

Judy Hajdu

Jo Tan

Jenny Loo

Helen Marriott

Helen Gray

Greta Young

Felicia Huang

Emily Karanikolopoulos

Elizabeth Angell

Beverley Webster

Angeline Lo

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.