Description and review of the annual Sogetsu Ikebana Show, held each year at the Shepard Garden & Arts Center in East Sacramento.
It was a bit overcast when I strolled over to the Shepard Garden & Arts Center on a Saturday, the first day of the 22nd Annual Sogetsu Ikebana Show. The event, titled “Sogetsu – The Spirit of Flowers” included Japanese flower arranging demonstrations.
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A Short Primer
What is Ikebana? Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging.
What is Sogetsu? Sogetsu means to make artistic displays, often in public spaces, using plant materials.
Who was Sofu Teshigahara? In 1927, Sofu Teshigahara founded the Sogetsu School in Japan. He recognized Ikebana as a creative art, as opposed to following established tradition. “Anytime, anywhere, by anyone” and with any materials, is the creed of the Sogetsu School.
Sogetsu Ikebana Show
The Sogetsu Ikebana show is presented by Sensi Kika Shibata, RIJI, and her Sacramento Sogetsu students.
About Kika Shibata
Kika received her teacher’s certificate from the Sogetsu School in 1964, and in 1989 she earned the title of RIJI, the highest degree offered by the Sogetsu School.
She has been a master teacher in Ikebana for 60 years, and has taught classes in Sacramento for twenty-two years. Kika Sensei’s Sogetsu Ikebana Class meets the second Thursday in the months of September through June at the Shepard Garden & Arts Center.
Show/Demonstrations
I arrived at the show a bit before 11:00 a.m., which allowed me time before the first flower arranging demonstration to view the exhibit of displayed arrangements. A wide variety of materials and plants were utilized. Some of the arrangements were quite large, appropriate for a large public space. Other arrangements were of a size that would be perfect to display on a home coffee table or dining room table.
There were also a variety of vases and containers on display and for sale. Raffle tickets were on sale to win some great ikebana-related prizes.
There were six demonstrations (11:00 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.) scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday. Each demonstration was 15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for transition and cleanup.
I attended several of the well-attended demonstrations, and I must say they were both interesting and inspirational.
See related blog post: Shepard Garden & Arts Center
To Sum Up
To sum up, I have to admit that the thought of taking Sogetsu Ikebana classes crossed my mind. Who knows, I might.
Comments on the Sogetsu Ikebana Show?
Have you attended the Sogetsu Ikebana Show? Or, taken the flower arranging class? What would you add?
2023 Sogetsu Ikebana Show Snapshot:
- Shepard Garden & Art Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95816
- Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1
- 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Free Admission
- Free Parking (parking lot & street parking)
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