Ikebana Melbourne

Tuesday, 22 August 2017

HIROSHIMA PEACE DAY

The Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International was asked again this year to provide two large works for the Hiroshima Peace Day Service at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. The service was held on Sunday 6th August and attended by our patrons, Mr Matsunaga, the Consul-General of Japan, and his wife.

The ikebana above was created by Lara Telford and her students, Trish Ward and Beverley Webster. It stood in front of the pulpit.

From this angle it is easier to see the origami cranes hanging from then branches.

Origami cranes have a close association with memorialisation at Hiroshima. Many being made by school children every year and sent to the Children's Memorial at the Hiroshima Peace Park.

The second large arrangement was created by Chieko Yazaki and stood in front of the lectern.

Both of the ikebana arrangements stayed in place for the week following the memorial service.

Saturday, 12 August 2017

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Tuesday 8th August the AGM was attended by 32 members, and our patron Yoko Matsunaga. Trish Ward was elected as the new President. The members thanked the retiring President, Chieko Yazaki for her two years of service and welcomed a new committee member, Margaret Wilson. Chieko has remained on the committee in the Japanese Liaison role.

Here is your introduction to the new committee. Left to Right:

ChristopherJames, Chieko Yazaki, Sally Wilkinson, Rosemary Hordern, Trish Ward (President), Marjorie Campkin-Smith, Margaret Wilson.

Following the AGM a demonstration was given by four heads of schools and one representative.

Chieko Yazaki is the head of Shogetsudokoryu School.

Christopher James is the head of the Sogetsu School.

Yukako Braun is the head of the Ikenobo School.

Elishia Zhang represented the Ichiyo School.

Aiko Nakada is the head of the Ohara School.

Below are the arrangements created, within a ten minute time frame. Some preparation was required.

In addition to the arrangements above, some members had also set up ikebana arrangements to celebrate the AGM.

Lara Telford.

Felicia Huang

Pat Hetrel

Emily Karanikolopoulos

Toula Karanikolopoulos

Betty Karanikolopoulos

Margaret Wilson

Lee Johnstone

Beverly Webster

Trish Ward

Friday, 21 July 2017

WELCOMING OUR NEW PATRONS

On the 21st of June Chieko Yazaki, President and Christopher James, Vice-president of Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter, had the pleasure of meeting the new Consul-General of Japan Mr Matsunaga and Mrs Matsunaga. In the meeting both the Consul-General and Mrs Matsunaga agreed to become patrons of the Melbourne Chapter during their tenure in Melbourne.

In the Consul Generals office (left to right) Mrs Toyama Information and Culture, Ms Ishida Vice Consul, Mrs Matsunaga, Mr Matsunaga Consul-General of Japan, Mrs Yazaki President Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter, Mr James Vice-President Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter.

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The Chapter meeting on 15th July took the form of a Saturday afternoon workshop lead by Christopher James and was attended by 30 members and visitors. It being winter the workshop theme of 'Bare Branches' was appropriate for the season.

Christopher had prepared two examples on the theme and demonstrated a third.

This example was focusing on the shape of the branch as formed by the wind. A small group of green leaves gives the work a feeling of new life.

The second example focuses on the surface texture of the bare branch which is covered in yellow lichen.

The third example was a partially prepared 'no kenzan' arrangement of bare apricot branches in a suiban to which were added three tulips as a focus of colour.

Below are some examples of work by members and visitors at the workshop.