Workshop: Introduction to Ikebana Flower Arrangement

Workshop Description

Students will learn a brief history of the Ikenobo school of Ikebana, and partake in a freestyle arrangement workshop.

Materials (Provided):

• Container
• Flowers
• Ikebana shears (hasami) will be provided for each student to use while creating their arrangement, but will be returned after class.

Each student will take home the arrangement they create.

About the Instructor:

Professor Charles Harris has assisted with and organized major Midwestern ikebana exhibitions at the Chicago Botanic Garden, conducted flower demonstrations at Columbia College, the University of Iowa, the Art Institute of Chicago, Northeastern University and Loyola University. At the request of Senior Professor Ikka Nakashima, he assumed leadership of the Chicago Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society. Upon the death of Professor Nakashima, he assumed the responsibility of curating and donating the extensive collection of Japanese items in her estate. That collection now resides at the Japanese Culture Center. The future of ikebana and the Ikenobo School is strong with a new generation of leadership embodied by Headmaster Designate Senko IV. Professor Harris is committed to guiding the Chicago Chapter by maintaining the classical standards of his predecessor while introducing the modern Ikenobo curriculum and forms to a new generation.

Ikebana originated with Ikenobo, beginning in Kyoto, Japan, as a Buddhist floral offering. Passed down through generations of the Ikenobo family and from teacher to student, Ikenobo has spread throughout Japan and around the world. The Chicago Chapter is one of hundreds worldwide that study and teach the art of Japanese flower arranging, Kado, as taught by the Ikenobo School of Kyoto, Japan. In 2013, they celebrated their 550th year of written history and 1,000 years of oral tradition.The Chicago Chapter was founded over 50 years ago by Senior Professor Ikka Nakashima. She is the second woman ever to receive the highest honor given outside the Imperial family, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. The Emperor of Japan personally presented her with this award in Tokyo for her tireless service in promoting Japanese arts and culture.

About the Japanese Culture Center:

The Japanese Culture Center was established in 1977 in Chicago by Aikido Shihan (Teacher of Teachers) and Zen Master Fumio Toyoda to make some of the martial arts, crafts, and philosophical riches of Japan available to the public.

Today the JCC continues this tradition, offering classes in over a dozen martial and cultural arts. The Center is not a museum where lifeless objects are displayed; it is a school where living skills are passed on person to person from generation to generation. You become an active participant in arts that have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years.

This workshop is brought to you through collaboration with the Japanese Cultural Center.

This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal assistance listing number, 21.027 awarded to the International Museum of Surgical Science by the US Treasury through the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the amount of $125,000.00, representing 83% of total project funding.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

The International Museum of SurgicalScience acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, United States