After the founding, Ellen encouraged members of her group to form local Chapters of Ikebana International when they returned home from Japan. Rina Fukuda who was the first secretary of Ikebana International, took this challenge to heart when she returned to Seattle in 1958.
Rina visited all the Japanese Flower Arrangement schools in the Seattle-area. Consul General Yoshiharu Takeno and Mr. Houn Ohara, the Headmaster of Ohara School, met with local Japanese arrangers from different schools in Japan who worked harmoniously together. The Consul General and Mr. Houn explained what Rina Fukuda was trying to create.
Thirty members of the local Ohara School and their headmaster Mrs. Kosui Fujikado, along with a few members of the Yushoha Ikenobo School, and their head¬master, Madame Hosoe Kodama, came forth to support the Chapter formation. Heads of two other large schools declined to join.
The first Japanese ship to come here after the War was due at the U.S. Navy Port. Mr. James Fukuda was asked by Consul General Yoshiharu Takeno to aid him in the reception and to act as a liaison. U.S. Navy dignitaries and their wives became acquainted with Japanese flower arranging. Among the Navy group, Mrs. Frances Duborg, wife of the Chief of Staff of the 13th Naval District, worked hard to make the reception efforts run smoothly and to promote the Art of Ikebana.
Mrs. Frances Duborg and Mrs. Rina Fukuda worked diligently together to make the dream of an Ikebana International Seattle Chapter a reality. As per instructions laid out by Ellen Gordon Allen, negotiations were conducted, and letters of organization accepted. The Charter for the Ikebana International Seattle Chapter was created emphasizing the “Friendship Through Flowers” motto.
The signing of the Charter took place March 16, 1959. Active teachers signing the Charter were Mrs. Kosul Fujikado of the Ohara School, Mrs. Rina Fukuda of the Sogetsu School, and Mrs. Hosoe Kodama of the Yushoha Ikenobo School. Others present for the signing were Mrs. Frances Duborg, Mrs. F.I. Elvidge, Mrs. Hazel N. Pringle, and Mrs. Yoshiharu Takeno. Mrs. Fay Kramer, President of Ikebana International witnessed the signing. The first Seattle Chapter President was Mrs. Irving S. Smith.
Dates and Events of note: Mayor J. D. Braman proclaimed March 14, 15, 16, 1969 as Ikebana Inter¬national Days for the 10th Anniversary. Ellen Gordon Allen passed away in the Summer of 1972. The 20th Anniversary was held at the Museum of History and Industry and Charter members were honored. Mayor Charles Royer proclaimed March 12 to 18, 1984 as Ikebana International Week. The 25th Anniversary Celebration took place at the Westin Hotel with Mayor Charles Royer, Consul General Toshio Isogal, and Professor Kazuhiko Kudo of the Ohara School of Japan performing the Honors.