New Site Reminder

I'm posting this to remind readers of my new blog site http://www.sogetsuatelier.com/ . If you subscribed here for e-mails of new posts you will need to go to the new site and re-subscribe.

The NEW Blog

Just a reminder to readers here, that I have moved the blog from this site to a new address
www.sogetsuatelier.com . So take a look there for all future posts. Thanks!

I've Moved to A New Abode!

I've moved, to a new place. Not a physical move, but a blog move. I've enjoyed my time here on Blogger, it's been a great learning experience. Now I have moved to a dedicated home using Wordpress. My new home will be Sogetsu Atelier , so please bookmark it and stop by say "Hello". I'm working hard on the new site and hope that you will follow me and visit! There is still a lot for me to do at the new site, many new things to add , things to unpack and lots of blogs to add to my blogroll. So but sure to drop by and check it out.

Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition

Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibit at the United States National Arboretum
September 19 & 20, 10:00am-4:00pm


Demonstration: Sunday, September 20, 1:00pm-2:30pmNational Bonsai & Penjing MuseumSpecial Exhibits Wing
Members of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area Sogetsu Branch fill the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum’s International Pavilion and Special Exhibits Wing with dramatic arrangements in this modern style of Japanese flower arranging. Sogetsu promotes an ikebana of no limits in which designers use plant materials of any type to create sculptural compositions. Watch master teachers demonstrate their techniques as they create a series of basic and free style arrangements during the drop-in session on Sunday, September 20 from 1:00pm to 2:30 pm. Free. No registration required.

The Poll Is Still Open, Your Vote Counts !

The poll in my previous post is still open, so take a look and VOTE! The poll is asking the question: "Is it Ok to actively study another school of ikebana?". This question came to me by chance a few months ago. I know someone who is studying with one school of ikebana and has just started studying another, and wants to keep it somewhat of a secret. Why, you might ask, would this be kept quiet? It seems that this person's sensei might not approve of their study of another school. So I was very curious about why that might be. I know lots of people who have have studied at least two schools, some have even gotten certificates from multiple schools. I started asking around and found that people were either very open to studying another school or very devoted to their current school. Perfectly understandable responses in my opinion.

Then I found MY answer to this question, from the So magazine, Volume 67, November-December 1987 in an article by famed Sogetsu artist and teacher Norman Sparnon:

"It was classical Rikka of the Ikenobo School which next took my attention. On receiving my Sogetsu Diploma I asked Mr. Sofu if I should study this classical style. He said "Yes, it will be good for your technique, and I will introduce you to a good teacher."

Some Workshops, A Demonstration, And A Poll

© Shuji Ikeda

This week I signed up to attend Ikenobo Ikebana workshops and a Sogetsu Ikebana demonstration . The two workshops are sponsored by Ikebana International Washington, DC Chapter #1 on Saturday, October 17, 2009 featuring Mr. Shuji Ikeda, Sokakyo Professor with the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. Details and registration are available on the Washington,DC Chapter #1 link above. After the workshops I will be going to see a demonstration by Ms. Soho Sakai, Riji of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. The workshop is part of the World Association of Flower Arrangers 2009 Excursion Botanicus, a ten-day multi-state Seminar. The cost of Ms. Sakai's demonstration is $50, the event is at the L'EnfantPlaza Hotel in Washington,DC and it is open to the public . More information on tickets is at WAFA's website.

So this brings me to a question I have been pondering, and also asking for opinions on: Is it OK to study more than one school of ikebana? I know that you should not do more than one at the same time, but after you finish the curriculum for one school do you think studying another school is a good idea? I'd really like for your vote in the poll below, and also for some comments and thoughts on your opinion or your experience with studying with more that one school of ikebana.

Is it OK to actively study more than one school of ikebana?
	Yes, it helps to further creativity and knowledge
	No, you should stick with one school in order to do it well
	Not sure
pollcode.com free polls

Psssssst......Wanna hear a secret?

It'a a secret to some, unless you live downtown. I'm talking about some of my secret sources for containers for ikebana, and I am going to tell them to you now. The first one is Miss Pixie's at 1626 14th Street NW, here in Washington,DC. Miss Pixie's has a small, eclectic mix of items and things go quickly there. It'a a place to hit often to see what's new. I grabbed this ceramic vase there for only $12.

It did have some white paint on it, but with a little delicate scrubbing I was able to restore it just like new! Miss Pixie's website has a unique "window shopping" section so that you can get a preview of what is currently in the shop, hooray!

We'll continue down 14th street to my absolute favorite Ruff N' Reddy at 1908 14th Street NW. Open from 11AM to 6PM on Saturdays and Sundays ONLY, but well worth the wait. I have found an absolute treasure trove of items there. Be forewarned, it's chocked full of stuff and can be difficult to navigate due to narrow pathways thru the store. Here's the view from outside:

Here's the view inside, just so you see why it is much like a scavenger hunt. I must admit I would crawl through hell and back for a great piece of japanese pottery or antique bronze container.

Here's what you might find if you look long enough: