About Us
The Albuquerque Ikebana Club has been in existence since 1960 learning the art form of Japanese flower arranging and sharing it with others. We are part of Ikebana International out of Japan and our motto is “Friendship through Flowers “. Our club meets monthly for themed workshops where we gather to learn a technique from a presenter and then have fun creating an arrangement that we can then take home and enjoy - and we always welcome visitors and new members! Our Albuquerque Ikebana Club also takes part in local events, such as Akimatsuri, to showcase Ikebana arrangements from various schools of Ikebana. For more information, please refer to our Facebook page Ikebana International Albuquerque Chapter #41.
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is about the art of Japanese flower arranging and so much more. We celebrate nature in flower arranging, the interesting and different cultures of Japan and friendship through flowers.
What is Ikebana International?
The organization was founded in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen whose dream was to create an association uniting the people of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of ikebana. Today, that dream has spread to over 50 countries/areas, with 143 chapters and a membership of more than 6,300.
What is NCAR?
The North and Central American Region (NCAR) is the largest region of seven regions within Ikebana International, reaching from Canada to the Panama Canal. Its Regional Advocate Committee seeks to strengthen relationships with the 68 NCAR chapters – through engagement, communication and knowledge sharing – to enhance chapter and school vitality.
What is Ikebana IWAYA Fund?
The Ikebana Iwaya Fund (IIF) is an IRS 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established in 2006 to promote and support ikebana related activity in North America. It seeks to educate the general public and foster the growth of ikebana through collaboration and financial support of organizations with this shared mandate.
The Iwaya Fund is built with public donations, both general and specific. The Estate of Sumako Iwaya is matching these donations into the Endowment Fund. The dividend income generated by its permanent Endowment Fund is used to disburse as grants to its stakeholders (I.I. chapters, ikebana study groups, schools and teachers).Membership is open to all persons interested in the art of ikebana and the ideas of I.I., regardless of their previous experience.
Please contact us, if you have any questions.
Multiple Ikebana Schools
Appreciation
Ikebana International is the only organization where you can learn about many different ikebana schools.
Chapter Meetings
Monthly
Members get together at monthly meetings to see ikebana demonstrations, hear lectures on related topics or participate in ikebana workshops.
Find a Teacher
Take Lessons
Members can obtain contact information of certified ikebana teachers that belong to the chapter, as well as information of teachers that teach virtually from another chapter.
Ikebana International Magazine
and NewslettersQuarterly
A premier publication, issued three times a year, richly illustrated with color plates of ikebana arrangements, articles on ikebana or related arts, and in-depth Japanese cultural subjects.
Regional Conferences and World Conventions
Worldwide
Regional Conferences are held periodically every 4 to 5 years in various regions throughout the world for the purpose of offering educational and cultural exchange opportunities to the members. The I.I. World Convention is held every five years in Japan.
Friendship through Flowers
Enrich the ikebana experience and make new friends around the world. This is by far the best benefit of membership.
Three Friends of Winter
by Sylvia KoehlerWednesday, February 2, 12:30 pm (Hybrid)
We will use the Pine, Bamboo and Plum or other fruit tree blossoming branches in arrangements in our school or individual style.
COVID Protocols:
In order to provide maximum protection for all in-person attendees, we will be observing full COVID protocols at the in-person meeting. Vaccination will be required (please bring your vaccination record card with you), masks will be required while indoors, and we will be observing social distancing as well.
Ichiyo School of Ikebana
The Ichiyo School was founded in Tokyo in 1937 by siblings Ichiyo and Meikof Kasuya, with Ichiyo Kasuya as its first Iemoto (Headmistress). Meikof Kasuya succeeded his sister as Iemoto (Headmaster) ten years later. In 1983 Meikof’s son Akihiro Kasuya became the third Iemoto. Naohiro Kasuya, Akihiro’s son, became the fourth and current Iemoto in January 2019.
The School was founded on the idea of creating original ikebana suitable for modern lifestyles, and all environments and spaces. Today, the Ichiyo School has Chapters and students worldwide and it continues to bring new ideas to the traditional art form of ikebana.
The arrangements should be a complementary element of the space in which they are located, whether it’s a traditional Japanese tokonoma, a Western living room, a hotel lobby, or a city park.
Ikenobo School of Ikebana
Ikebana is one of the representative aspects of Japanese traditional culture, and ikebana began with Ikenobo.
In 1462 the name Senkei Ikenobo first appeared in historic records as “master of flower arranging.” Senno Ikenobo, who was active in the late Muromachi period (mid-16th century), established the philosophy of ikebana, completing a compilation of Ikenobo teachings called “Senno Kuden.”
Senno Ikenobo taught, “Not only beautiful flowers but also buds and withered flowers have life, and each has its own beauty. By arranging flowers with reverence, one refines oneself.”
Arranging flowers and finding beauty in flowers - these are linked to a heart that values nature and cares for other people. This is the spirit of Ikenobo Ikebana.
Learn More
Ohara School of Ikebana
Unshin Ohara founded the Ohara School of Ikebana in the late nineteenth century in the Osaka-Kobe area when Japan opened itself to the world. Influenced by the Western culture, he developed a style of ikebana that was to express the beauty of natural scenery. He searched for ways to arrange the brightly colorful western flowers that were being imported into Japan.
The basic philosophy of the Ohara School is to observe nature well and emphasize the seasonal qualities, growth process and the beauty of the natural environments.
The Ohara School is now led by fifth Headmaster Hiroki Ohara and claims more than one million members worldwide.
Sogetsu School of Ikebana
Sogetsu Ikebana was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara who concluded that ikebana is a creative art that can take many forms and expressions. His basic premise is that “anyone can enjoy Sogetsu Ikebana anytime, anywhere, using any material”.
Sogetsu Ikebana is appropriate in any room of one’s home, in public spaces such as hotel lobbies, banquet rooms, department stores or out of door locations. Suitable for both Japanese and Western environments, it is one of the most contemporary ikebana schools of design.
Akane Teshigahara is the current and Fourth Iemoto (or headmaster), grand-daughter of Sofu Teshigahara, niece of Kasumi Teshigahara (2nd Iemoto) and daughter of Hiroshi Teshigahara (3rd Iemoto).
There are forty-seven local branches in Japan (one for each prefecture and three in Tokyo) as well as some hundred branches overseas.
Connect With Us
