Ikebana 101: Basic Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement
The JASGA cultural program in June will present Ikebana 101: Basic Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement with Gregory Gaiser, certified instructor of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. This hands-on introduction to Japanese flower arranging, using seasonal branches and flowers is to create beautiful compositions.
Ikebana (also known as Kado 華道), the Japanese art of flower arrangement, dates back to over 500 years ago and is still practiced as a highly respected cultural art form in modern-day Japan.
All ikebana schools come from a rich tradition which is hundreds of years old. Originally, this 
art form was only for priests in the temples. Today there are hundreds of schools of ikebana and as an art, it has evolved over time.
art form was only for priests in the temples. Today there are hundreds of schools of ikebana and as an art, it has evolved over time.The basis of all ikebana designs in the Sogetsu School is the Basic Upright Style. This style utilizes two main branches, Shin and Soe, and a third element, usually a flower, for Hikae. These are done in moribana style using a kenzan in a suiban (open flat horizontal container). This basic arrangement teaches students not only how to use the tools of ikebana and the materials from nature, but also to develop and eye for proportion and design. The main elements of all Sogetsu arrangements are line, movement, focal point, open space and depth.
About Gregory GaiserGREGORY GAISER first studied ikebana at the Buddhist meditation center in Boulder, Colorado in the early 1990s. He was very fortunate to study with Sensei Kyoko Kita, a native Japanese ikebana instructor with over 50 years of experience. The school he studied with is the Sogetsu School with headquarters in Tokyo. Sensei Kita gave Gregory the title of teacher and the flower name Hotetsu which means Clematis or Iron Flower in Japanese. This is a beautiful type of vine which grows heartily in Colorado.
Gregory moved to California in 2010 and studied with another Sensei named Kika Shibata in San Jose, California. Sensei Shibata agreed to mentor Gregory as he transitions in to teaching ikebana here is Austin, Texas, Gregory’s current home.
Gregory is a native Texan and also teaches the Hakomi method of mindfulness centered somatic psychology.
Please join us to enjoy and share some creative moment with us!
Date/Time: Wed, June 15, 2016 6:15-7:45pm
Location: Hill Elementary School, Annex Building
Fee: $15 for JASGA members; $20 for non-members (Including flowers and all of our tools)
Note: The tools for the class (suiban, Ikebana shears, kenzan, etc.) are provided in the class for classroom use only. If the participants have own tools, please bring them to the class.
Registration Required (for purchasing flowers)
Deadline: Monday, 6/13/2016
Please register for the Ikebana 101 online.
For those who want to pay the fee by check, select option 'pay by check' to register for the class and send a check payable to JASGA to the following address:
Japan-America Society of Greater Austin
PO BOX 9276
Austin, TX 78766
June 15th, 2016 6:15 PM
1201 Payton Gin Road
Lanier High School
Austin, TX 78758
United States
Lanier High School
Austin, TX 78758
United States
| JASGA Member | $ 15.00 |
| Non-Member | $ 20.00 |
