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Newsletter No. 25 Winter/Spring 2010
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By Joan Fairs
Dear
Membership:
Please
let me introduce myself. I am
Joan Fairs,
an assistant professor of
Sangetsu
Ikebana, and newly instated president of the Vancouver Ikebana Association. I
served a previous term of three years in the late 1990’s as president, and
started our VIA newsletters as editor.
I first
started Sangetsu
ikebana lessons with the encouragement of my late stepmother,
Shigeko Nishimura,
in the early 1980’s in Vancouver. Since I love flowers and enjoy gardening it
seemed like a natural progression to become an instructor in 1993, and later
earned my assistant professor designation in 2004. I have given lessons at the
National Nikkei Centre, and currently teach at my home in Burnaby. I have
about thirteen continuing students and occasionally give a set of beginners’
lessons.
We are
fortunate to be living in this part of the country where so many different
types of trees, shrubs, plants and flowers grow. Of course a lot of material
may also be purchased, but I like to be able to use stuff from my own gardens,
where they grow quite profusely! I call it my personal jungle…
I hope to
be able to lead our association for the coming two years in a friendly,
compassionate way. Your collaboration in continuing our association to grow
and flower is my objective. With your help, the VIA will be a group that will
keep showing the public, the beauty of nature with a bit of help from learned,
artistic hands.
Sincerely, Joan Fairs
LATE MUM SHOW
By Marie Ogryzlo
Once
again VIA members wowed visitors and PGCA members with their stunning ikebana
at the
Banno,
Beverley-Ann Ranney,
Michael Lucas
and
Hamako Horii.
Sangetsu
was represented by Jennifer Gardy,
Sharon Harris
and Angie Lee.
Sogetsu
was represented by Kuniko Yamamoto,
Meighan Makarchuk,
Annie Santini
and Marie Ogryzlo.
Members
of the Point Grey Chrysanthemum Association are grateful to all of you. Your
lovely designs add a special dimension to the show, and we love to see the
mums we grow used in your ikebana so beautifully. It is always a pleasure to
see the beautiful arrangements you create using just a handful of
chrysanthemums.
With
grateful appreciation from PGCA members.
Marie Ogryzlo
Past
President, PGCA
Annie Santini's Arrangement (Sogetsu) at
the Late Chrysanthemum Show
SUN YAT-SEN GARDEN SHOW
By Judie Glick and Hollis Ho
For many
years, Ikebana Exhibitions have been held on Thanksgiving weekend at Sun
Yat-Sen Classical Gardens. In 2010, the dates will be moved to September 24th to
26th to be
held in conjunction with the SYS Garden’s Autumn Moon Celebrations.
The
October 2009, Ikebana Exhibition, featured four Ikebana Schools from our VIA
membership including Kado Sumi,
Ikenobo,
Sangetsu
and Sogetsu.
Kado Sumi
displayed in the Hall of One Hundred Rivers with both miniature and regular
sized Ikebana. It was a beautiful display of Kado Sumi traditional style.
Ikenobo School
displayed in the Main Hall. It was an impressive exhibit featuring many
talented members of Ikenobo.
The
Water Pavilion featured arrangements of the
Sangetsu School. Joan Fairs
and five of her students used various seasonal material and incorporated many
garden seeds and branches that were donated by a friend of
Sangetsu.
Sogetsu School
displayed in three areas of the Gardens - The Moongate, The Hall of One
Hundred Rivers and in the Scholar's Study. Individual displays were done by 8
members of Sogetsu
and 2 large floor pieces were done by 9 members who worked as 2 individual
groups. Sogetsu
School is famous for their large Ikebana displays, and SYS Gardens is a
wonderful location to show this style of
Sogetsu
Ikebana. The group arrangements were led by
Greta Kos
and Hollis Ho.
We look
forward to the new dates to celebrate the Autumn Moon at the SYS Gardens.
There will be a larger number of attendees for the September dates, and we
hope to have more interaction with the garden-goers with Ikebana
demonstrations. We urge many members to be on hand during the run of the show,
to talk about the art of Ikebana, and their individual designs, to the public.
Ikekomi will be on Friday, September 24, so we are announcing the Ikebana
Exhibition as a 3-day show.
Kaz Takahashi"s Arrangement (Kado-Sumi)
at Sun Yet-Sun Garden
One of Sogetsu's large arrangements at
Sun Yet-Sun Garden
IKEBANA FOR EMPEROR
AKIHITO’S BIRTHDAY
The
Ikenobo
Ikebana Society of Vancouver was given the privilege of arranging an Ikebana
in celebration of the Emperor’s Birthday at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel, in
Vancouver, in December.
We used
nandina for integrity, pine for longevity, and the chrysanthemums, flowers of
the Imperial Family, in our Ikebana.
There was
entertainment provided by other artists, such as koto by one of our members,
Mrs. Yuriko Nariya,
shakuhachi, military arts, dancers, etc., to show the culture of Japan. The
national anthems of Japan and Canada were sung by those attending.
IKENOBO IN SAN FRANCISCO
The
Vancouver Chapter of the
Ikenobo
Ikebana Society joined in the celebrations of San Francisco Headquarters on
its 42nd Anniversary on January 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2010, in San Francisco.
In North America, Headquarters was first established in New York City in 1964.
Since
1968, special visiting professors have visited North America from Kyoto,
Japan, Headquarters to give demonstrations, lectures, and workshops twice a
year. Of those professors, fifty-five attended the 42nd Anniversary with the
Headmaster, Senei Ikenobo
and his son-in-law, Mr.
Masafumi Ikenobo.
There were sixteen members and a few spouses from the Vancouver Chapter who
attended.
We feel
very fortunate to have the special visiting professors twice a year and are
most appreciative that the Headmaster and Headquarters keeps us up to date
with our Ikebana. Our Ikebana is evolving. Two new styles have been created by
our Headmaster; one in 1977, and another in 1997. A special meeting was held
for the presidents of all the chapters to compare notes and discuss questions
and any problems.
IKEBANA REQUESTS FROM THE
JAPANESE CONSULATE By Joan Fairs
Usually,
the Japanese Consulate requests the VIA for a large arrangement to decorate a
ballroom to help celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.
Ikenobo
had their
turn this past December. The reception of Emperor's birthday was held at
Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel on December the 7th,
2009. Members of Ikenobo
created a large, impressive Rikka.
In
February, the consulate requested an ikebana arrangement for a 2010 Vancouver
Winter Olympic Reception, co-hosted by the Chair of the Japan Olympic
Committee and the Consul General of Japan on Sunday, February 21st. The event
was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Empire Landmark Hotel on Robson
Street. Joan Fairs
provided a nageire arrangement of pine, plum, Pieris, disbud mums and mini
carnations.
Soon
after, the consulate contacted the VIA once more for an arrangement for a
Japanese sake lecture and tasting event to be held on Wednesday, March 10th at
the official residence of the Consul General of Japan.
Hiroko Yasuoka
of the
Ohara
school
was able to accommodate them.
VIA CHRISTMAS PARTY
By Gladie Lindgren
Through a
Japanese garden to a Christmas bedecked door – what a delightful beginning to
the VIA party at Inga Uhlmann’s
home. We came from the cold into a Christmas fairyland. Such beautiful
decorations, some tucked into nooks so it was a joy to discover them. That
old-fashioned Christmas feeling was in the air!
The
serving table filled to overflowing as guests brought in more and more
appetizers, mains and desserts. With wine in hand, we wandered into another
room and relaxed with old friends, and met and mingled with new.
The long
dining table held a gorgeous Christmas ikebana arrangement on a silk obi. I
was charmed by the Japanese furnishings and decorations of the home, with
German touches here and there. I loved the German windows!
After a
sit-down meal including Inga’s delicious Japanese style curry beef, UBC
students Allison Watters
and Christine Pearce
reported on their project -- Occupational Engagement and Meaning: The
Experience of Ikebana Practice. They had interviewed nine VIA volunteers;
three instructors and six students. They told us how pleased their instructor
was with the quality of information gathered and analyzed. They again
expressed thanks to the VIA and especially to the interviewees.
It
was a wonderful party. Very special thanks to Inga for her warm and gracious
hospitality, and for the capable help of her sister Helga.
LIBRARY REPORT
By Linda Achiam
A full
inventory was completed and a new filing system has been implemented. The
books are stored in four containers, with the contents listed on each cover.
Linda asks that members pay attention to maintaining this new storage system.
Books are available to be borrowed at any time, and are being kept at Joan
Fairs’ home. The length of loans is two months, and late fees will be
collected and put into the library fund for new acquisitions.
A new
book, “Heaven and Earth
Are Flowers: Reflections on Ikebana and Buddhism"
by Joan
Stamm, which has just been released, has been added to our collection. Four
more new books have been ordered, since we didn’t get any last year.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS By Chris King
To
display in the Spring Show, annual membership dues of $20.00 must be paid by
the end of March. Please send cheques payable to the VIA c/o Mrs. Christine
King, 290 April Road, Port Moody V3H 3W1.
As of
December 31, 2009, VIA has 77 members, including four honourary members. We
welcome our new members, and wish those members departing well.
CORRECTION
In the
Fall newsletter, Mrs. Sachiko Sumida’s
name was omitted in the article about the Richmond speed skating oval. She
made several arrangements in the Ikenobo style.
2010 SPRING SHOW INFORMATION
The
Vancouver Ikebana Association’s annual Spring Show will be held at the
Oakridge Auditorium, at the Oakridge Centre Mall, 41st and
Cambie on Saturday, April
17
and
Sunday, April
18.
The show will be open to the public between
12:00 and 5:00pm
both days, with
demonstrations daily at 1:00 and 3:00pm.
Set-up of
the hall will take place on Friday, April 16 between 1:00 and 3:00pm, and
Ikekomi will be from 3:00
to 8:00pm on April 16.
Members are invited to the
opening ceremony,
to be held from
11:00 to 12:00 on Saturday, April 17.
To
participate in the show, you must have paid your membership dues and let VIA
know you will be participating no later than March 30, 2010.
Tickets are $6.00 at the door or $5.00 in advance. Please
see Kaz Takahashi
regarding ticket presales, or email her at kaztak1937@gmail.com.
2010 EVENT CALENDAR
March 20-
Business
Meeting 1:30-3:30
Joan
Fairs’ Home
Refreshments: Sogetsu
March 30 -
Deadline for VIA Membership Dues
March 30 -
Deadline for Declaring
Participation in the Spring Show
April 16 -
Spring Show Hall Set-up
1:00-3:00
Oakridge
Auditorium
April 16 -
Spring Show Ikekomi 3:00-8:00
Oakridge Auditorium
April 17 -
Opening Ceremony 11:00 (members
and special guests)
Oakridge Auditorium
April 17-18 -
2010 Spring Show
noon
to 5:00
Oakridge Auditorium
Demonstrations Daily at 1:00
and 3:00
May 2 - Burnaby Rhododendron Festival
9:30-4:00
Deer
Lake Park
May 15 -
Business Meeting
1:30-3:30
Joan
Fairs’ Home
Refreshments: Kado-Sumi
July 30 -
Powell Street Festival Ikekomi
VIA Displays Buddhist Church Hall
July 31-Aug. 1 -
Powell Street Festival
Oppenheimer Park
Sept. 10 -
Early Mum Show Ikekomi
VanDusen Garden
Sept. 11-12 -
Early Mum Show
VanDusen Garden
Sept.
11 -
Business Meeting
1:30-3:30
Joan Fairs’ Home
Sept. 24 -
Sun Yat-Sen Show
Ikekomi
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
Sept. 25-26 -
Sun Yat-Sen Show
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden
Nov. 5 -
Late Mum Show
Ikekomi
Mandeville Garden
Centre
Nov. 6-7 -
Late Mum Show
Mandeville Garden Centre
November -
VIA Christmas Dinner
Restaurant TBA
December -
Emperor’s
Birthday
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