What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is much more than mere floral decoration. It is an art like painting, calligraphy, sculpture and bonsai are arts. It has a recorded history, specified principles and theories, requires highly developed technical skills, and most importantly, it is a creative means of expression.
Ikebana, one of the traditional arts of Japan, has been practiced for more than 600 years. Its beginnings are traced to the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the 6th century when offerings of flowers were placed on the altar, and later in containers, in honor of Buddha.
Over the centuries, ikebana evolved from the temple to the castle and, eventually, to the Japanese home. Many different styles and schools of ikebana developed along the way. Today, there are over 2,000 different schools of ikebana. They include both classical and modern avant garde styles.
What is Ikebana International?
Ikebana International is a non-profit, cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. The late Ellen Gordon Allen founded the organization in 1956 to promote friendship among the peoples of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of ikebana. Today, there are chapters of Ikebana International in over 50 countries with a membership of approximately 10,000 persons.
The headquarters of Ikebana International is in Tokyo, Japan. Every five years, it sponsors an international conference for members from all over the world. The 10th World Convention, which was to be held in Tokyo, Japan May 1-4, 2011, has been rescheduled for May 1-4, 2012. It also sponsors regional conferences in different locations. The next North American regional conference has been rescheduled for May 18-22, 2014 in Asheville, North Carolina. To learn more about this dynamic organization, visit the website of Ikebana International at http://www.ikebanahq.org.
Ikebana International Washington, D.C. No. 1 Board 2011-2013:
- President: Tone Olsen
- Vice-President: Judith Roa
- Second Vice-President: Connie Forster
- Third Vice-President Elise Schoux
- Recording Secretary: Jane Redmon
- Corresponding Secretary: Margaret Starkey
- Treasurer: Helen Chin
- Assistant-Treasurer: Sylvia Tetralut
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