Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Los Angeles

In 1957, the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Los Angeles was established, becoming the first Chapter outside of Japan. The Chapter was started by Mmes. Senka Okamoto, Tosui Kazahaya, Seiho Nagao, Seiha Eguchi, Koka Tsuchiya, and Senka Tokuyama.

From the beginning, Chapter leaders have kept the highest standards, offering members lectures, demonstrations, training courses, and workshops as well as classes with individual teachers. Members have studied at Kyoto Headquarters and attended special events throughout North America.

Since 1959, group exhibitions have been held annually across Southern California. Arrangements are often requested for events, including special occasions at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan. Classic Rikka arrangements have been displayed there for the visits of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Los Angeles.

In 1962, the 45th generation Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo arrived in Los Angeles for the first of many visits. In 2017, a different era, he led a delegation celebrating the 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee of the Chapter. In September 2023, the Headmaster returned with his grandson, Senshu Ikenobo, to help celebrate the chapter's 65th Anniversary. Nurtured by the dedication of so many over the decades, the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Los Angeles continues to share the beauty and harmony of over 550 years of floral art tradition.

In the Kamakura period (1192-1333), samurai (the elite warrior class) seized governing power from the aristocrats, a development which brought about great changes in Japanese society as a whole. The shoin-zukuri style of architecture first appeared at this time. The tokonoma (a small, sacred alcove at the side or end of the zashiki, a room for receiving guests) is a part of this architectural style. Earlier customs of arranging flowers in a vase for use as decoration on a table or in a corner of the room may well be said to have brought about the invention of the tokonoma.

Ikenobo and the Rokkakudo Temple

The Rokkakudo Temple is located southeast of the intersection of Karasuma and Sanjo streets in central Kyoto, and is formally known as Shiunzan Chohoji. The name rokkaku refers to the hexagonal shape of the temple (do). The Rokkakudo was founded by Prince Shotoku to enshrine Nyoirin Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Near a pond (ike) where Prince Shotoku bathed, the small hut (bo) of succeeding generations of Buddhist priests gave rise to the name Ikenobo . The Rokkakudo is the site of the birth and development of ikebana. The custom of appreciating flowers in a vase probably dates back almost to the birth of the human race. Involved in this custom is the human characteristic of loving and adoring the beautiful. In this regard, there is no difference between East and West. In Japan, however, arranging flowers has been carefully considered as the art form and, indeed, way of life called kado (ka, flower; do, way or path).

Flower Offerings

The custom of placing flowers on an alter began when Buddism was introduced to Japan by way of Korea in about 538 A.D. In the Heina period (794-1192), apart form alter offerings, the practice of enjoying flowers arranged beautifully in a vase also beame popular. Poems, novels, and essays of the time contain many passages which describe nature, and which also metion the appreciation of flowers in a vase. Especially in the Kokin Wakashu ( The Anthology of Waka compiled by Imperial Order , early 10th century), Genji Monogatari ( The Story of Hikaru Genji , 11th century), and Makura no Soshi ( Essays by Seishonagon , 11th century), we find many vivid descriptions of members of the aristocracy both viewing and enjoying the arrangement of flowers.