Sogetsu School of Ikebana
Sogetsu School was founded by Sofu Teshigahara in 1927. While many believed practicing Ikebana meant following the established form, he believed Ikebana is creative art that can take many forms and expressions. Anyone can enjoy Sogetsu Ikebana anytime, anywhere, using any material. Sogetsu Ikebana aim to be present, to be alive and to be flexible. Many beautiful flowers and plants are the products of Mother Nature but Ikebana is the product of man’s creativity and imagination in the arrangement. Sogetsu Ikebana can be arranged in any room of one’s home, in public spaces such as hotel lobbies, banquet rooms, department stores or out of door locations. Suitable for both Japanese and Western environments, it is one of the most contemporary ikebana schools of design. Akane Teshigahara is the current and Fourth Iemoto (or headmaster), grand-daughter of Sofu Teshigahara, niece of Kasumi Teshigahara (2nd Iemoto) and daughter of Hiroshi Teshigahara (3rd Iemoto). More info Japanese Headquorters
About Yumi
Yumi’s first exposure to Ikebana was when she was in 7th grade in Japan. She had to take an Ikebana class for her middle school’s extra curriculum but had never appreciated the beauty of Ikebana until she was an adult and came to US. Her first Sogetsu teacher was Mrs. Reiyo Nakajima.
Past 35 years she’s been teaching, giving demonstration, workshop and continue to studying Ikebana. When she goes to Japan once or twice a year, she visits to Sogetsu headquarter in Tokyo and takes some classes if possible. Also, try to attend the workshops conduct by master teachers from headquarter when they come to pacific west coast. For past 17 years, she’s been studying under Mrs. Shoka Narimatsu and then Mrs. Kika Shibata who is the Sogetsu US west director. Since she moved to San Diego 2003, she’s been teaching at Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park every Tuesday, also teaches from kindergarten to middle school children during summer camp there. She taught Ikebana at Poway Adult School for 4 years. She has been a participant artist at San Diego Museum of Art “Art Alive”, a member of Ikebana International San Diego Chapter, Sogetsu San Diego Branch, Sogetsu Shoka-kai San Diego, Sogetsu Teacher Association (STA) in Tokyo Headquarters.
She served as a president and vice president of Ikebana international Akron Chapter, a vice president, program chairman, and flowers show chairman of Ikebana International San Diego Chapter. Since spring of 2020 during Pandemic, she has been serving as a director of San Diego Sogetsu Branch.