My First Tokyo Workshop with Pottery Exhibition

Last Friday marked another milestone as I had my first Tokyo workshop on Ikebana. A few months ago, my friends Rie and Susumu invited me to collaborate with them for an autumn exhibition. As we discuss the details, the idea of having a workshop in summer came up. It will be part of Susumu's pottery summer exhibition. We are fortunate that the gallery owner is very supportive and even helped us with the logistics.

Tokyo Workshop 8 — The Facade of r_cafe Gallery and Studio in Yostsuyasanchome, Shinjuku

My first Tokyo workshop! I planned to have one but I didn't know that I would have the opportunity as early as now. I was also able to display some Ikebana arrangements using Susumu's vases.

Tokyo Workshop 2 — Summer Arrangement Using Sunflower, Bamboo Stem, and Fire Lily

Tokyo Workshop 3 — Sunflower and Cattails Placed in White Cubic Vase

Tokyo Workshop 4 — Fire Lilies with Silver Streak Leaves to Complement Susumu's White Plates

Tokyo Workshop 5 — Top View Arrangement Using Sunflower, Silver Streak, And Dracena Leaves

Tokyo Workshop 22 — Inside the Gallery's Tea Room

Susumu also conducted a pottery workshop on the last day of the exhibition.The exhibition and workshops were held at r_cafe Gallery and Studio in Yotsuyasanchome, Shinjuku.

Tokyo Workshop 6 — Ikebana Arrangement for Susumu's Pottery Exhbition

Tokyo Workshop 7 — Sunflower and Earth-Colored Vase to Complement the White Square Plates and Saucers

Tokyo Workshop 19 — Tools for Susumu's Pottery Workshop

Tokyo Workshop 20 — Susumu Explains Basic Molding Techniques During His Pottery Workshop

Tokyo Workshop 21 — Participants Making their Own Cups

Tokyo Workshop at r_cafe Gallery and Studio

The Ikebana workshop had two sessions: morning (11:00 am - 12:00 noon) and afternoon (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm). There were a good diversity of participants for both sessions. During the morning session, my friend Morgane joined as a participant. She is currently in Tokyo for a short visit. There were also participants from London during the afternoon session.

Tokyo Workshop 10 — Teaching Where to Place the Shin, Soe, Hikae

Tokyo Workshop 12 — Morgane and Her First Ikebana Arrangement

For both sessions, each participant received a small vase, a kenzan, and a set of flowers and leaves. I first showed them how to cut the flowers or leaves for their shin, soe, and hikae. These are the three main branches for basic Sogetsu ikebana. It is very interesting to see how focused the kid participants are in order to get the right measurements for their stems.

Tokyo Workshop 11 — Ikebana Arrangements Made by the Morning Session Participants

Tokyo Workshop 13 — The First Session Participants

Tokyo Workshop 15 — Measuring the Materials for Shin, Soe, and Hikae

Tokyo Workshop 16 — The Afternoon Session Participants Finishing Their Works

Tokyo Workshop 17 — The Afternoon Session Participants

Tokyo Workshop 18 — Afternoon Session's Ikebana Arrangements

While sharing a hot macha (green tea) courtesy of Ms. Kaori Watanabe (gallery owner and licensed tea ceremony sensei), the participants shared their feedback and insights during the workshop. All of them enjoyed as it is their first time to make an Ikebana arrangement. They said that it was also a good opportunity to practice their English and meet people from different places.

Wanders and Flowers