MARCH MEETING: JAPANESE DAY

The sixty second anniversary of the Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International was celebrated at the March meeting with a birthday cake made by Marjorie Campkin-Smith.

The theme of the meeting was Japanese Day and the activity for members was to make a small origami box for a flower arrangement. 

The activity was presented by Akemi Suzuki assisted by Reiko Ito. 

Their very thorough preparations made the task much easier for the inexperienced members present.

This display by Japanese members of the Chapter demonstrated some of the great variety of paper vessels that can be made using origami techniques.

Above are two demonstration Ikebana arrangements created by Nobuko Kobayashi, using origami boxes placed within metal frames.

The members were very well engaged by the activity as can be seen in the following four photographs.

   

  

  

  

Below are three examples of completed ikebana arrangements in origami boxes made on the day.

  

  

TWO EVENTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO CHAPTER MEMBERS

The Japanese Summer Festival will be held online this Sunday on 28th February, from 11 am to 4 pm, introducing many aspects of Japanese culture.

An Ikebana demonstration is scheduled to be online streaming from 2 pm to 2.25pm by Chieko Yazaki representing Ikebana international Melbourne Chapter. The aim is for the people who don't know Ikebana to learn and try Ikebana without special tools such as a kenzan or Ikebana vases.

https://www.mjsf.com.au/program/index.html

The second event is presented by the Office of the Consul-General of Japan.

It is a special online event in commemoration of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito's 61st birthday.

Please click on the link as follows:
https://youtu.be/aX0HcCF7qLs

Consulate-General of Japan, Melbourne

Level 25, 570 Bourke Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

FINAL MEETING FOR 2020

The final meeting of the Chapter for 2020 was held on the 8th December in the Toorak Uniting Church Hall. This was the first time that members were able to gather together since 10th March owing to the restrictions because of the Covid 19 pandemic. It was also the opportunity to formally hand-over to the new committee as the Annual General Meeting had to be delayed. 

Thirty five members attended the meeting.

We were joined by Mrs Matsunaga the Co-patron with her husband Mr Matsunaga, the Consul General of Japan. It was an opportunity for the incoming President on behalf of the members to thank our patrons for their generous support to the Chapter.

The outgoing President, Trish Ward, was presented with a Past President's Pin by the new Chapter President, Julie Ireland. Chieko Yazaki presented Mrs Ward with the gift of an ikebana vessel. She was thanked for her service to the Chapter over the past three and a half years, and particularly for maintaining communication with members during the two extensive 'lock-downs' in Melbourne this year.

At the meeting members made contributions to our regular children's charity the Cottage by the Sea. Members also presented their ikebana arrangements on the theme of 'Celebration'. Below are photos of their work.

Helen Marriott, Shogetsudo koryu school.

Midori Nakajima, Sogetsu School.

Akemi Suzuki, Sogetsu School.

Betty Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu School.

Chieko Yazaki, Shogetsudo koryu school.

Christopher James, Sogetsu School.

Elizabeth Angell, Sogetsu School.

Emily Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu School.

Greta Young, Sogetsu School.

Josephine Tan, Ohara School.

Kim Ng, Ohara School.

Lara Telford, Sogetsu School.

Nicole MacDonald, Sogetsu School.