Our Ikebana August workshop was held in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church hall. Setsuko Kennedy lead the workshop. It was an opportunity to practice arrangements for our September Exhibition at the Begonia House. Setsuko has provided the following notes on her theme:
"Through your flower arrangements, your sensibility blooms, and your love for flowers blossoms into confidence.” “How can we achieve that? Please read through the following quotes as your reference.
Sofu Teshigahara wrote about ‘Good Ikebana’ in one of his Lesson notes (Ikebana Sogetsu No. 256 June 2001).
“Good ikebana has movement within it. Plants don't move, but they should look as if they're moving. In Sogetsu ikebana, a feeling of movement comes from the arrangement. Green colour gives the impression of movement because when we look at a plant, we react instantly to its green mass.
‘Beauty’ is an abstract word that refers primarily to colour but also to shape. Beautiful shape is a product of lines and mass. Remember that lines move but mass doesn't when you decide where to give emphasis to movement and mass. It is important to remember that ikebana is not just about lines and mass. The originality and sophistication of the artist are also important.
Of the utmost importance, however, are the three major ikebana techniques: ’cut’, ‘fix’ and ‘bend’.
Cut until you get blisters. Let your fingers bond with the scissors
Bend branches and other vegetation to a form you like
Fix the flowers and branches without using a kenzan (needle point).
Practice these three techniques until you come to be known as an expert.”
