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IKEBANA WELLINGTON | Friendship through flowers

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Sogetsu School Wellington

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Workshop led by Takako Oshima. Theme: Composition Expressing a Movement

April 12, 2026 Ikebana Wellington

Takako demonstrating how to create 'bloom' using roses showing through muehlenbeckia

Our April workshop was held at our usual venue. Takako Oshima led the workshop with the theme from Book 5, lesson 18, Composition Expressing a Movement.

Takako provided the following notes: “For our workshop, I am using Text 5–18, “Expressing Movement,” as the theme and approaching it in a slightly playful way.

I will prepare slips of paper, each with a single verb written on it (such as “fall,” “play,” “jump,” or “resist”) and place them in a box. Participants will then draw one slip at random, like a lottery, and create a work using the flowers and materials they have, based on the verb they draw.

It may be challenging to express an unexpected theme, but that is also part of the fun and the reward. Of course, if the verb you draw really doesn’t suit your flowers or container, you are welcome to draw again.

To make it feel a bit like a game and to allow for more possibilities, it might be nice if you can bring a few different materials.

This exercise is meant to test our imagination and flexibility in responding to a given theme. By making full use of your skills and creative ideas, I hope it will be a fun and stimulating challenge for everyone.”

View fullsize Takako demonstrating 'undulate' using dried agapanthus stalks and a single large leaf
Takako demonstrating 'undulate' using dried agapanthus stalks and a single large leaf
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View fullsize Takako created 'tangle' using anthurium flowers with twisted vine and red stalks in a low ceramic container
Takako created 'tangle' using anthurium flowers with twisted vine and red stalks in a low ceramic container
View fullsize Takako demonstrating how to create 'bloom' using roses showing through muehlenbeckia in a tall vase
Takako demonstrating how to create 'bloom' using roses showing through muehlenbeckia in a tall vase
View fullsize Sandi created 'stretch' like a newborn baby stretching, using variegated flax leaves, billy button flowers and a single sunflower in a matte black container
Sandi created 'stretch' like a newborn baby stretching, using variegated flax leaves, billy button flowers and a single sunflower in a matte black container
View fullsize Masako created 'tumble' using knotted flax leaves, and red flowers in a tall black container
Masako created 'tumble' using knotted flax leaves, and red flowers in a tall black container
View fullsize Nicole created two arrangements showing 'smoke' using a variety of materials
Nicole created two arrangements showing 'smoke' using a variety of materials
View fullsize Setsuko created 'explode' using leaves, hydrangea and a single yellow chrysanthemum in two matching containers
Setsuko created 'explode' using leaves, hydrangea and a single yellow chrysanthemum in two matching containers
View fullsize Lyn created 'tear' flowing through three containers using magnolia leaves, a seedhead and flowers
Lyn created 'tear' flowing through three containers using magnolia leaves, a seedhead and flowers
View fullsize Sharon created a 'clash' of different materials in two low containers
Sharon created a 'clash' of different materials in two low containers
View fullsize Yoko created 'pop' using umbrella grass, small red flowers and seedheads in three similar-shaped containers
Yoko created 'pop' using umbrella grass, small red flowers and seedheads in three similar-shaped containers
View fullsize Glenys created 'run' using a variety of materials to personify herself as a strong, young runner (hydrangea) and a weaker older runner (small pink flower) in an interesting vase
Glenys created 'run' using a variety of materials to personify herself as a strong, young runner (hydrangea) and a weaker older runner (small pink flower) in an interesting vase
View fullsize Elizabeth created 'curl' using broom, rosemary, curled flax leaves and bright yellow flowers in three matching containers - the middle one empty to create space
Elizabeth created 'curl' using broom, rosemary, curled flax leaves and bright yellow flowers in three matching containers - the middle one empty to create space
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View fullsize Kathy created 'overflow' using a variety of materials flowing out of a glass container
Kathy created 'overflow' using a variety of materials flowing out of a glass container
View fullsize Kathy created 'overflow' using mainly dried material flowing from a low container and a hollow bamboo piece
Kathy created 'overflow' using mainly dried material flowing from a low container and a hollow bamboo piece
View fullsize Helen created 'leap' using flax leaves and a single hydrangea leaping out a slim tall vase
Helen created 'leap' using flax leaves and a single hydrangea leaping out a slim tall vase
View fullsize Nicole's fire creating 'smoke'
Nicole's fire creating 'smoke'
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View fullsize A beautiful arrangement of white lilies and roses displayed in the Khandallah Church
A beautiful arrangement of white lilies and roses displayed in the Khandallah Church
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A Workshop led by Adriana Nickless with the Theme: Disassembling and Rearranging Materials

March 8, 2026 Ikebana Wellington

Adriana sharing her creations

Our workshop was held in our usual Khandallah Church Hall venue at 2pm to 4pm on Sunday March 8. Our Ikebana Wellington AGM preceded Adriana’s workshop. The present Committee are happy to continue in their roles.

Adriana provided the following notes: “My theme combines elements of Disassembling and Rearranging the Materials (Book 4 Lesson 9) and Simplified Arrangement (Book 4 Lesson 8).

In particular finding new and interesting ways to arrange materials while, as Lesson 8 notes achieving “maximum expression possible…by the minimum parts possible”. Also, as we move from Summer into Autumn, those attending the workshop may find it helpful to take some inspiration from the observable effects of seasonal change on available material.”

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A Workshop led by Sandi Hurnard. Theme: Glass and Water

February 1, 2026 Ikebana Wellington

Sandi arranging hosta leaves and delicate flowers in a low glass bowl

Our February workshop was held on Sunday 1st February in the hall at Khandallah Presbyterian Church. Sandi led the workshop demonstrating using ‘Glass and Water’ with a glass container. Alyson joined her.

Sandi has provided the following notes:
As February is usually our hottest month, it seems appropriate to revisit the impact of the element of water in our Ikebana.

Glass containers allow us to emphasize the stalks as well as flowers. The positioning of what can be seen in the water should add interest to your composition. Do not use kenzan in your arrangements.

Materials are completely optional but do include greenery.

Beginners should read Book 2 lesson 16 which shows 2 floating examples which will introduce you to floating arrangements.  If you don't have a suitable glass moribana your usual one will be fine.

Intermediates Refer to Book 4 lesson 12 page 86-87 with a good writeup you will find helpful.

Advanced Book 5 lesson 13 pages 66-69 have some interesting examples of more advanced compositions.”

View fullsize Sandi arranging kawakawa leaves and lilies in a tall blue glass vase
Sandi arranging kawakawa leaves and lilies in a tall blue glass vase
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View fullsize Alyson arranging agapanthus flower heads tied up and upside down in a glass vase
Alyson arranging agapanthus flower heads tied up and upside down in a glass vase
View fullsize The tied up agapanthus head creates an interesting flower
The tied up agapanthus head creates an interesting flower
View fullsize Sandi arranged astelia leaves and purple flowered climber in two glass vases with hydrangea flowers in the water
Sandi arranged astelia leaves and purple flowered climber in two glass vases with hydrangea flowers in the water
View fullsize Sandi arranged leaves, variegated flax with sedge seedheads and driftwood in an open glass container
Sandi arranged leaves, variegated flax with sedge seedheads and driftwood in an open glass container
View fullsize Elizabeth arranged narrow and broad leaves, hydrangea flowers with glass balls in a round glass vase
Elizabeth arranged narrow and broad leaves, hydrangea flowers with glass balls in a round glass vase
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View fullsize Nicole arranged grapevine, leaves and bunches of grapes in two glass vases
Nicole arranged grapevine, leaves and bunches of grapes in two glass vases
View fullsize Penny arranged flax leaves, delicate flowers and hydrangea flowers in a black ceramic container
Penny arranged flax leaves, delicate flowers and hydrangea flowers in a black ceramic container
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View fullsize Helen arranged material upside down in water and upright with rosemary and fern leaves in two glass vases
Helen arranged material upside down in water and upright with rosemary and fern leaves in two glass vases
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View fullsize Kate arranged rugosa rosehips and vine in a tall curved glass vase
Kate arranged rugosa rosehips and vine in a tall curved glass vase
View fullsize Japanese rugosa rosehips with very sharp thorns
Japanese rugosa rosehips with very sharp thorns
View fullsize Glenys arranged a single agapanthus flower and leaves with hydrangea flowers in the water of an interesting glass vase
Glenys arranged a single agapanthus flower and leaves with hydrangea flowers in the water of an interesting glass vase
View fullsize Anna arranged two matching dahlias, kawakawa and leaves in a shallow glass plate
Anna arranged two matching dahlias, kawakawa and leaves in a shallow glass plate
View fullsize Anna arranged a single orange dahlia and montbretia stem in a low ceramic container
Anna arranged a single orange dahlia and montbretia stem in a low ceramic container
View fullsize Yoko arranged orange dahlia in a glass vase containing succulent leaves
Yoko arranged orange dahlia in a glass vase containing succulent leaves
View fullsize Lois arranged two anthurium flowers and aspidistra leaves in two glass vases containing stems with Michaela berries and leaves
Lois arranged two anthurium flowers and aspidistra leaves in two glass vases containing stems with Michaela berries and leaves
View fullsize Sharon arranged kangaroo paw stems and leaves in a tall glass container with matching flax in the water
Sharon arranged kangaroo paw stems and leaves in a tall glass container with matching flax in the water
View fullsize Masako arranged stems with delicate flowers in a tall glass container
Masako arranged stems with delicate flowers in a tall glass container
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View fullsize Sudima arranged a vine with leaves and pink flowers in a tall glass vase
Sudima arranged a vine with leaves and pink flowers in a tall glass vase
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View fullsize Setsuko arranged lemonwood, tarata branches with berries and a single hydrangea flower in an interesting glass vase
Setsuko arranged lemonwood, tarata branches with berries and a single hydrangea flower in an interesting glass vase
View fullsize Amanda arranged agapanthus stems, leaves and flowers in the water of a decorated glass vaseass
Amanda arranged agapanthus stems, leaves and flowers in the water of a decorated glass vaseass
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