The modern Sogetsu School of Ikebana believes that anyone can arrange Ikebana anywhere, at any time, and with almost any materials. Although Ikebana is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, according to Sogetsu philosophy this art should be considered part of a lifestyle to be appreciated by people the world over, rather than an exclusive aspect of Japanese culture to be enjoyed by only a few. Because people are different from each other, the Sogetsu School encourages students to be individual and imaginative.
The basic techniques of Sogetsu Ikebana are taught throughout the world by instructors aided by textbooks written in Japanese and English. Basic styles and variations of moribana (shallow container) and nageire (tall container) arrangements are studied, followed by free style studies. Free style arrangements are often abstract and avant-garde, and are sometimes described as temporary sculptures that feature plant materials. Regardless of the arrangement style, however, Sogetsu students are taught to always pay respect to relationships such as space, line, depth, movement, color, form, and balance. Sogetsu ikebana is a three dimensional artistic expression composed of flower and plant material arranged in a container. Sogetsu Ikebana arrangements are intended to bring beauty and discovery into the lives of those who create them, and into the lives of those who view them as well.
The Sogetsu School of Ikebana was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara, the son of a traditional Ikebana master. Sofu Teshigahara believed that Ikebana should stress individual creativity and experimentation, and he was able to expand ikebana from its traditional settings into contemporary spaces. His philosophy was eloquently expressed in his writings, most notably in “Kadensho” The Book of Flowers.
Sofu Teshigahara’s daughter Kasumi succeeded her father as Iemoto (headmaster/headmistress) of the Sogetsu School after his death in 1979. With her elegant style, Kasumi Teshigahara continued her father’s goal of spreading the art of Sogetsu Ikebana throughout the world. The third Iemoto was Sofu’s son Hiroshi Teshigahara, whose energetic and dynamic attitude helped to further expand the Sogetsu School. The present Iemoto is Akane Teshigahara, a daughter of Hiroshi Teshigahara. She cherishes “free creativity” of ikebana and has actively promoted her “Akane Junior Class” of 3-12 year olds to cultivate the sensitivity of children through Ikebana.
Sogetsu Teachers (Please click teacher names to expand)
Akemi Sagawa
Class location(s): Seattle, Whidbey Island, Online
About the teacher: Ikebana means you give a new life to flowers with your own expression and creativity. Join us to experience the joy of creation!
Contact: https://iloveikebana.com/
Christine H Yuan
Class location(s): Mercer Island
About the teacher: We teach the Sogetsu school of Ikebana, with the basic principle that Ikebana reflects the original expression of the person. Using flowers, we create beauty with our feelings. Join us to experience the joy of creation!
Contact: christinehyuan1966@gmail.com
Charles Coghlan
Class location(s): Seattle & Ferndale WA
About the teacher: Each class is individually designed with both beginners and advanced students in mind, with all materials, tools& containers provided. Taking guidance from the Kadensho reflections of Sogetus founder, Sofu Teshigahara, teacher and students together explore the vision and the principles of modern style Ikenana.
Contact: https://www.hanadesignikebana.com/, charles@hanadesignikebana.com, (206) 789-4226
Diane Elliott
Class location(s): Kirkland
About the teacher: Ikebana has enabled me to combine two of my passions, gardening and art. I teach using the Sogetsu School textbooks, but want students to enjoy creating ikebana as they are learning this wonderful art.
Contact: puffin33@earthlink.net, 425-823-0704
Machiko Faught
Class location(s): Snohomish, Skagit, and Island County. For online class, anywhere!
About the teacher: Sogetsu Ikebana, Botanical world, Nature are my passions. English/Japanese Speaker. My studio class or online class available.
Contact: machikofa@gmail.com, https://ikebana-machiko-faught.mystrikingly.com/
Mie Ross
Class location(s): Monroe, Private/Group lesson at student home or venue in South Snohomish County, North West King County
About the teacher: Hands on class with following the text book instruction. Create good relationship with the nature to create simple and beautiful arrangement.
Contact: ikebanabymie@gmail.com, (206)601-7665
Mitsuko Okada
Class location(s): Seattle
About the teacher: You can relax and enjoy the message flowers convey to us.
Contact: m800hana@gmail.com
Nobuko Relnick
Class location(s): Woodinville
About the teacher: Sogetsu has three textbooks, and we follow these books. I invite anybody who is interested in taking Sogetsu to come and observe a class.
Contact: nobukorelnick@gmail.com
Shirley Hill
Class location(s): Newcastle, WA
About the teacher:
Shirley has been active in the Sogetsu School (草月流) of Ikebana since 1987. She received her first teacher’s diploma in 1991. Through her love of Ikebana and continued studies she has subsequently achieved and currently holds the ranking of Riji, the highest diploma of Sogetsu School, Tokyo Japan.
Shirley is a member of the Sogetsu Teachers’ Association in Tokyo and is the Sogetsu Mercer Island Branch Deputy Director. She is an active member of Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19. She served as the Chapter President from 2007-2009 and continues to serve on the Chapter board. She was elected again as the present president for the 2019 – 2022 term.
Shirley promotes Ikebana through demonstrations, workshops, exhibitions & Ikebana events such as Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Annual Exhibition, Galleries and Ikebana Conferences. She regularly volunteers to display arrangements at the Seattle Art Museum and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. Shirley uses leaves, branches, seasonal flowers and her collection of unique vases & containers for her arrangements.
She has been an active Ikebana teacher since 2003. Shirley can also speak Cantonese and Mandarin. She teaches her students to create arrangements with natural plant materials and the expression of “Balance, Color, Depth, Form, Line, Movement, and Space” for their arrangements.
Contact: shirleyhill@live.com, (206)954-3833