Dallas Chapter 13’s love of Ikebana. Nan Mitchell’s demonstration, discussion of her experience in Japan, the plant material she used symbolic of the schools of Ikebana, was very well received and was a great addition to the other cultural events on stage. Nan arranged white lilies, pine, red berries and bare curly willow branches in a large red gourd container. We want to thank Barbara Michaels for being Nan’s assistant for this demonstration. We also want to thank our historian, Paula Brehm, for taking pictures, and Kiyomi and Norika for “working” our exhibit to promote Ikebana Dallas Chapter 13. Many other members attended the Festival to help in our booth, other booths or to enjoy the festivities. Anna McFarland, Executive Director of the Japan-America Society, and many of the Mochitsuki volunteers expressed their appreciation for our participation and willingness to place some of the arrangements at various locations throughout the festival. Our February 20 meeting will feature Mia Shelton, Jonin Sanyo teacher in the Sogetsu School with “The Ikebana

Arranging expressing our

Ikebana International

President’s message In the Japanese calendar, spring begins February 4. In your yard you may see the beginnings of spring: narcissus leaves peeking out of the ground and buds on fruit trees tricked by the warm weather. Dallas Chapter 13 hasn’t slowed down since January began. Susan Ashley’s gourd containers with woven accents at the January meeting were amazing. Susan discussed the different types of natural materials she uses to enhance her gourds. She also explained the weaving techniques for the different types of baskets she creates.

Mochitsuki Ikebana Exhibit

Expresses Our Love of Ikebana

Mochitsuki and the Japan-America Society of D/FW’s New Year’s Festival gave us an opportunity to exhibit arrangements with pine, bamboo and budding branches. Our thanks to Norika Bamba, Kiyomi Kurihara, Patricia O’Reilly, Sudha Ramakrishna, Barbara Stokol, Karen Murrell, and Mia Shelton, along with two of her students, Katie Reid, and Jen Tseng, for their Ikebana floral art created for Mochitsuki. All of the arrangements created interest in our display and

Chronicles.” She will provide us with some fascinating information on the development of ikebana from the Buddhists of China. As she recounts the interesting story of how the Ikenobo and Sogetsu schools came about, she and her assistant, Taeko Horwitz, will also demonstrate. Be sure to take note of the location of our February meeting, at left.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Presidents’ Day In friendship through flowers,

Karen Murrell

February 2014

Ikebanadallas.org

From the President

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Dallas Chapter 13 Newsletter

From the President 1

February 20 Program & Directions to Lake Highland Rec Center 2 Japanese Culture & Festivals 2 Upcoming Ikebana Events 3 Featured Events – Mark your Calendar 4

Nan Mitchell and the arrangement she

demonstrated at Mochitsuki

February 20

Meeting Location:

Lake Highlands North

Recreation Center

9940 White Rock Trail,

Dallas, TX 75238

214.670.7794

(or see pg. 2 for directions)

That mischievous child,

winter, runs through the

north woods,

Once more, before bed. J. Hornstein

click here for map & directions

January Program – Susan

Ashley’s fabulous coiled pine

needle basket with Vetro Art

glass

c c

Mia Shelton – The Ikebana

Chronicles

Mia, a Jonin Sanyo teacher in the Sogetsu school, is also certified as a teacher in the Ikenobo school.

In addition to being an outstanding ikebana artist, Mia has an extensive knowledge of its history, which traces back to pre-6th century China and the Buddhist ritual of offering flowers to the spirits of the dead.

Mia will provide us with an interesting and lively presentation on the history of the Ikenobo and Sogetsu schools of ikebana while she and her assistant, Taeko Horwitz, create exciting Ikenobo and Sogetsu arrangements that complement her discussion.

Dallas Chapter 13 – February 20 Program Lake Highlands Recreation Center

9940 White Rock Trail, Dallas, TX

75238, 214.670.7794 phone

9:30 am. – 1:30 pm

FROM LBJ - take the Audelia/Skillman exit. Go South on Skillman (right fork) to stoplight at Church Road and turn left. Go under the bridge and turn right (at the light) onto White Rock Trail. Turn left into the large parking lot in front of the Rec Center.

FROM SOUTH OF WALNUT HILL - From 75, exit on Walnut Hill going East. Continue on Walnut Hill past Greenville and Abrams Rd; continue past Skillman and turn left/north (at the light) on White Rock Trail. The Rec Center will be on your right. Turn right into the large parking lot.

As you enter the building turn left toward the glass registration desk. We will be meeting in the large room to the right.

Dallas Chapter 13 – February 2014 Page 2

2

February 20 - Reminder If you can bring a snack, please do so. Please contact Nancy Griggs 972-612-9750. In addition to snacks, we will need some items that we do not normally have to bring, like tea bags and napkins. Nancy will also need help before and after in setting up the room and taking it down. Please check with Nancy beforehand to see what is still needed. Thank you; we appreciate you for stepping up.

Mia Shelton and her

Mochitsuki

arrangement

In Japan: Valentine’s Day and Hina Matsuri There is a St. Valentine’s Day in Japan! While chocolate treats are given to boys they like, the girls also follow the practice of “Giri-Choko" by giving chocolate to the boys they would rather see fall off the edge of a cliff, like their boss. "Giri" means obligation, but in Japan it has a deep sense of long-term commitment.

Hina Matsuri, or Doll Festival, takes place March 3rd which celebrates Girls' Day in Japan. From mid to late February, families with daughters put out the dolls with the hope their daughters will grow up healthy and happy. Traditionally, many parents or grandparents begin their first display for their daughter, called hatsu zekku, when she is just a year old. Most displays consist of just a prince (Odairi-sama) and a princess (Ohina-sama), but more elaborate displays include dolls as part of a 5 or 7 tier display (hinadan).

The festival evolved into the form we see today during the Edo Period (1603-1867),

my spring is just this:

a single bamboo shoot

a willow branch

~ Issa

1

“The Ikebana Chronicles” ~ Mia Shelton, Jonin Sanyo, Sogetsu School – Mia will provide us with an interesting and lively presentation on the history of the Ikenobo and Sogetsu schools of ikebana while she and her assistant, Taeko Horwitz, create exciting Ikenobo and Sogetsu arrangements that complement her discussion.

Dallas Chapter 13 – February 2014

Upcoming Ikebana Events

Page 3

Dallas Chapter 13 and Fort Worth Chapter 38 join Sogetsu Dallas Branch in celebrating its 40th Anniversary ~ April 24 & 25, 2014 Yayoi “Soho” Sakai, Riji, founder of Soho Study Group in San Francisco, is the guest ikebana artist for the 2-day celebration. Thursday - Demonstration and Luncheon. Friday – Morning workshop and Lunch; afternoon teachers’ workshop. Details and Registration Information in attached Brochure Bent Tree Country Club, 5201 Westgrove Drive, Dallas 75248

“Learn the Basics; Love the Possibilities” ~ Sue Smith, Jonin Sanyo, Sogetsu School

– Sue will demonstrate how to make better freestyle arrangements using a

nageire container. Bring: Nageire vase, several straight sticks the diameter of

your little finger, at least 3 branches that are twice as long as your container, and

floral material. Don’t forget hasami and trash bag!

February 14

Fort Worth Chapter 38

February 20

Dallas Chapter 13

February 27

Sogetsu Dallas Branch

"Your Grandmother's Container" ~ Sally Shockey, Third Grade, Sogetsu School.

Do you have a container that you think would never work for a Sogetsu

arrangement? You know the one - it looks like a poodle, or it's covered with

lovely hand painted mermaids, or whatever! Sally will show you how to use that

container in a Sogetsu arrangement that shines!

March 4

Houston Chapter 12

"Celebrating Japan’s Girls Day" ~ An informative and entertaining presentation of

a member’s vast Japanese Doll collection which will be on display. This program

will be held in the residence of a member. Sushila Mathews, Ohara School, will

do a demonstration. Members and Guests Only. Must RSVP ikebana-

houston12.org

March 14

Fort Worth Chapter 38

"Creative Ikebana" ~ Mia Shelton, Jonin Sanyo, Sogetsu School, will do a

demonstration of the Ikenobo and Sogetsu Schools. She will be assisted by

Mitsuyo Odom

March 20

Dallas Chapter 13

"The Story of the Kimono" ~ Yasuko Robinson, Komon, Sogetsu School, will do a Kimono “show and tell.” You will get to see some of her collection of antique kimonos, and learn about all the parts that go into proper wearing for different occasions. Be prepared for a little fashion show!

April 24 - 25

Sogetsu Dallas Branch

with

Dallas and Fort Worth II

4

Featured Events – Mark your Calendar!

Tuesday, February 11 Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth “Abenomics, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and Economic Opportunities for Texas” Join the J-ASD/FW for an update on current issues in U.S.-Japan relations from leaders in the field. Experts from both countries will discuss Prime Minister Abe's economic agenda, international trade in the Asia-Pacific region, and the TPP's implications for North Texas. This program is a must for anyone interested in DFW/Asia trade relations. Luncheon Keynote address by Wendy Cutler, The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): Opening Markets and Opportunities in the New Japan. For additional information and to register: Abenomics (As members of Chapter 13 you are eligible for the member rate.)

Sunday, March 2, 3pm (Free) Rio Rico Guitar Ensemble – University of Texas – Dallas School of Arts and Humanities (Following Texas Guitar Competition Festival Friday 2/28 – Sunday 3/2) The Rio Rico Guitar Ensemble was formed in 2011 by the students of classical guitarist Masatomo Tomikawa. Their repertoire has focused on the Japanese music, both original works for guitar ensemble written by contemporary Japanese composers and transcriptions of traditional Japanese music. They have commissioned and premiered works by composers such as Shigeru Matsuoka and Siyoh Tomiyama. They appeared in several guitar festivals throughout Japan and Europe, and their performances have been well received by the audiences. In 2013, they won the 1st prize in the Ensemble Division of the Andres Segovia International Guitar Competition held in Linares, Spain.

Sunday, May 18 - Thursday, May 22, 2014 Ikebana International 2014 North American Regional Conference, Asheville, NC Headmaster Akihiro Kasuya of the Ichiyo School will be the headliner for the convention. Other artists include: Emiko Suzuki, Ikenobo School; Sibi Wilson, Ohara School; Ron Brown, Sogetsu School; Jennie Sterling, Sogetsu School All information is on the website http://ikebanaasheville.org

Friday, October 17 – Sunday, October 19, 2014 25th Anniversary of Sogetsu San Jose-South Bay Branch, San Jose, CA Workshops and Demonstration by Riji Tetsunori Kawana, student of Hiroshi Teshigahara, renowned bamboo artist and Ikebana master Thee 25th Anniversary celebration will be a rich and fun learning experience in the South Bay Area of California. Kika Shibata, Director www.sogetsu-sjsbb.org

Tuesday, October 28 – Sunday, November 2, 2014 Ikebana International Dallas Chapter 13, with Fort Worth Chapter 38 and Sogetsu Dallas Branch present Kiku Matsuri 2014, in partnership with University of Texas – Dallas and Japan-American Society of Dallas/Fort Worth. All events will take place at UT-Dallas, including outdoor sculptures, exhibition of arrangements, workshops for practitioners and novices and grand finale demonstration. Riji Kika Shibata, Sogetsu School, will be the guest artist for this event. More information, including details of events and registration for workshops and grand finale demonstration will be published in July, 2014.

Dallas Chapter 13 – February 2014

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