Sogetsu Workshops with Takako Martin

June 7, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Takako arranging material in the same colour tonal range, with the help of Lyn Cartwright

Sogetsu Teachers Association Wellington hosted Auckland based Sogetsu teacher Takako Martin (Riji Teacher) for three workshops on Saturday 7th June and Sunday 8th June 2025. Takako has visited Wellington many times and her workshops are always a great experience for students as well as teachers. Takako was welcomed at a casual dinner on Friday 6th June at Helen’s place to which many members attended.

The three workshops were held at the Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall, Ganges Road, Khandallah on the following themes:
Colours in the Same Tonal Range - Book 3, lesson 8
Colours in Contrast - Book 3, lesson 9
Two or More Containers - Book 3, lesson 4.

Takako gave a workshop at Sandi’s place for Sogetsu teachers where a theme was chosen, material available and a time limit given for an arrangement to be created. The teachers found these restrictions challenging but interesting and very worthwhile. Thank you Takako.

Gallery 1: Colours in the Same Tonal Range - Book 3, lesson 8

Takako arranging orchids, erica, banksia and sweet william in a triangular container on legs

Lyn is helping Takako with her arrangement

Takako's arrangement using material of the same tonal colour

Helen arranged freesias and tulips in orange tones in a low ceramic container

Lyn C arranged green foliage and banksia in a beautiful pottery vase

Elizabeth arranged purple toned material and a tall ramarama stem in a low container

In a contemporary white container, Sudama arranged material in pink tonal range including Japanese maple stems

Sandi arranged yellow tonal freesias, chrysanthemums, flax and korokia stems in a beautiful pottery container

Alyson arranged material of pink tonal range in a blue rectangular container

Lyn H arranged freesias, jonquils and daffodils of yellow tonal range in a low ceramic container

Nicole arranged material of a lilac tonal range in a low black vase

Anna arranged chrysanthemums, flax and muehlenbeckia of bronze tonal range in a low, round container

Sharon arranged material of a bronze tonal range in a round, black container

Bron arranged freesias, leucadendron and proteas of bronze toanal colour in a low ceramic container

Marsha arranged various blooms to show white tones in an orange container

Setsuko arranged greenery, hydrangea and a tall umbrella grass stem of green tonal range in a beautiful pottery vase

Sue arranged material to show bronze as a tonal colour in grey pottery container

Masako arranged lilac tonal coloured flowers in a low container

Yoko arranged lilac tonal colours in a pottery vase

Lyn receiving her teacher's certificate from Sandi her teacher

Gallery 2: Colours in Contrast - Book 3, lesson 9

Takako arranged yellow and purple flowers as contrasting colours in a ceramic double opening container

Takako arranged orange and green material as contrasting colours in a low ceramic vase

Bron arranged yellow and purple flowers as contrasting colours in a black container

Sandy arranged green and purple as contrasting colours in a low container

Sharon arranged blue and bronze flowers as contrasting colours in a low black container

Alyson arranged purple and pink flowers as contrasting colours in a contemporary container

Nicole arranged yellow and purple flowers as contrasting colours in a low container

Lyn H arranged yellow and purple flowers as contrasting colours in a yellow vase

Sandi arranged red and green material as contrasting colours in a beautiful red vase

Marsha arranged purple, red and yellow material as contrasting colours in an interesting shaped container

Sudama arranged yellow and purple flowers as contrasting colours in low container

Setsuko arranged green and red material as contrasting colours in a black triangular container

Masako arranged yellow and purple flowers as contrasting colours in an interesting white vase

Sue arranged pink and green material as contrasting colours in a low pottery container

Lyn C arranged yellow and blue flowers as contrasting colours in a moribana black container

Lyn C created an arrangement for Takako's welcome party at Helen's place

Gallery 3: Two or More Containers - Book 3, lesson 4.

Lyn and Takako working on an arrangement using two containers

A seemingly simple and creative use of two containers using a pine stem and cones in the water

Many of us were delighted with Takako's use of two triangular containers - so simple

Kathy used two black vase to show a tall arrangement with bird of paradise flowers as a feature

Glenys arranged flax, gum stems and alstromeria in two containers on top of each other

Elizabeth used contemporary containers stacked to show a cactus stem from base to tip and curved vine

Setsuko used two contrasting triangular containers to show monstera leaves and red roses

Yoko used black and white containers to show a variety of flowers and greenery

Nicole chose two contrasting containers to show a variety of silver toned material

Takako placed three containers together to show olearia stems and orange flowers

Masako chose two contrasting containers to show magnolia and freesias

Marsha chose two yellow containers to show lavender flowers and vine

Bron chose two contrasting ceramic containers to show gerberas and greenery

Takako admiring Sudama's use of two contrasting containers

Lyn C chose four contemporary containers to show sunflowers and rolled leaves

Adriana chose two contrasting containers to show autumn coloured material

Lyn H chose two pottery containers to show autumn coloured flowers and foliage

Helen chose three containers of different heights to show red banksia and berries with silver gum stems

Helen giving Takako her gift

Helen, Takako and Lyn C happy after our last worksop

Kathy demonstrated from Book 4 lesson 2, ‘With Leaves Only’.

May 11, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Kathy showing how to arrange leaves in a tall black container

Our Ikebana Wellington workshop was held on Sunday May 11 at 2pm in Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall. Kathy demonstrated four arrangements from Book 4 lesson 2, ‘With Leaves Only’.

Kathy suggested: ‘Leaves Only’ arrangement focuses on using a variety of leaves to create a unique and visually interesting composition, encouraging creativity and freedom of expression, allowing for manipulation of leaves like folding, rolling, or tearing to highlight their different textures, shapes, and colours. This lesson encourages exploration of the hidden beauty of leaves by presenting different sides and exploring the plant material.

Kathy demonstrating an arrangement of various leaves including a fern leaf and a curled leaf in a narrow container

Kathy showing her four arrangements

Kathy used a large banana leaf, a silver beet stalk, a ribs only leaf and a dried leaf in a tall black container

This arrangement includes a red-veined beet stalk and a tall dried leaf

Kathy bent astelia leaves to match the shape of a triangular container

Kathy used delicately veined dried leaves in a miniature vase

Adriana arranged two different large leaves in a tall glass container with a white one inserted inside

Nicole arranged bent and knotted asteleia leaves in a tree-sided black container

In a low, wide, blue container, Alyson arranged tractor seat leaves with lancewood leaves woven into them

Our group listening and watching Kathy giving feedback

Takako arranged a variety of leaves in a low, round black container

Yoko arranged a variety of leaves including dark canna and flax leaves in a white ceramic vase

Setsuko curved variegated flax leaves and woven flax flowers in a beautiful dark red container

Helen arranged curved and straight leaves in a low basket container

Glenys arranged maple and a variety of flax leaves in a tall black container

Elizabeth used three tall glass container to arrange a variety of leaves

Penny arranged a variety of leaves in a low, black container

Anna arranged fern fronds and yellow kawakawa leaves in a low, round, black container

Lyn arranged a variety of leaves including a lettuce leaf in a low, white container

Lyn arranged three types of leaves including yellow leaves to match the ceramic vase

Flax, cabbage and fern leaves arranged in a narrow-necked white container

The Sogetsu Branch AGM followed by a Workshop lead by Adriana on arranging Miniatures Ikebana

April 15, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Our April workshop started with the AGM of our Sogetsu Branch. It was not a full election this year.

The AGM, was followed by a workshop on the Book 5 lesson, Miniatures Ikebana, lead by Adriana. Miniatures have been part of Sogetsu studies for many years and were a speciality of the second Headmaster, Kasumi Teshigahara. Members used several of their smallest containers and grouped them on a base plate, tray or paper. Many beautiful arrangements were created.