Category Archives: Ikebana

Finding Beauty in a Flaw

Posted on February 8, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

One afternoon as I worked in Tokyo, I was increasingly exasperated. First, there was a limited choice of branches, none of which I particularly liked. Then once I got started with the branches recommended to me by a teaching assistant, … Continue reading →

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Waking from the Tokyo Dream

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

After landing in Vancouver I picked up an email from Vivian saying that she was in Gaienmae shortly after I left and experiencing pangs of sadness in my neighbourhood. Ah, Gaienmae. Why did that seem part of a distant past? … Continue reading →

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Getting Back to Sogetsu Ikebana School

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Lynda Philippsen

Getting back into ikebana after a 20-day hiatus wasn’t easy. Like any skill-development abandoned for a significant period of time—exercise, music practice, that golf swing, whatever—there’s a certain muscle tone and mindset which deteriorates in the interval.

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Reviewing My Progress in Sogetsu Ikebana

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Levels one and two of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana are devoted to basics, basics, basics. Everything depends on the basics. One set of branches with one set of flowers and variations of three primary lines (Shin, Soe and Hikae) … Continue reading →

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Sogetsu Level One Book One Complete!

Posted on December 15, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

Check! I have now completed Level One of Book One in my Sogetsu Ikebana course. I started the first two lessons of Level Two on Tuesday, and will persist in my attempt to complete Level Two before leaving Japan.

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New Variations: Old Rules Do Not Apply

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

This week I had but one class at the Sogetsu School as the rest of the week was devoted to teacher workshops on the new Book 5 curriculum. With the basic forms and various slanted styles behind me, I began … Continue reading →

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Beginning Sogetsu Ikebana Lessons in Tokyo

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Lynda Philippsen

After eighteen months or so of no Ikebana lessons, the first days of classes in Tokyo’s Sogetsu School reminded me of how little I remember. I am glad I’ve chosen to start again from Book 1 Lesson 1.

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International Ikebana Class: Tokyo Sogetsu Headquarters

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Lynda Philippsen

After registration, along with the other students I am introduced to Master Instructor, Suikei Sakaguch. Then we are directed to the bank of flowers and branches from which we are to choose our materials. Continue reading →

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Vancouver Ikebana 50th Anniversary Spring Show

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Lynda Philippsen

What elegant beauty: evanescence and stillness poised at the intersection of nature, philosophy and art. Continue reading →

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