Welcome - A message from our President
If you have any questions, kindly email us at: ikebanafortworth@gmail.com
We are beginning a new year of ikebana for our Fort Worth Chapter 38, and celebrating our 30th anniversary. The Chapter Board has been busy working on special programs for this year.
The Autumn season brings cooler days and nights---Japanese Festivals, State Fairs and Football! We find materials that are such fun to use in ikebana--chrysanthemums, pumpkins, colored leaves--and the holidays are not far behind with evergreen branches and brightly colored decorations! Please bring your friends to our meetings, gift them a simple arrangement, invite them to watch an ikebana video. Share this Japanese art that means so much to us. It really is a cultural treasure!
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth Stock Yards
About Ikebana and our Resources
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is about the art of Japanese flower arranging and so much more. We celebrate nature in flower arranging, the interesting and different cultures of Japan and friendship through flowers.
We study and celebrate the attributes of nature in flower arranging. We experience peace (and sometimes frustration!) as we contemplate how to combine our materials and incorporate space and movement to compose a serene or striking arrangement. We recognize that our arrangement is really a conversation between oneself, the container, the plant materials and sometimes unconventional materials we've selected, any exposed water surface, even the surrounding environment. We learn about the relationship between ikebana and the interesting and different arts and cultures of Japan. And we experience the pleasure of friendship through flowers.
What is Ikebana International?
The organization was founded in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen whose dream was to create an association uniting the people of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of ikebana. Today, that dream has spread to over 50 countries/areas, with 143 chapters and a membership of more than 7,000.
What is North and Central American Region?
The North and Central American Region (NCAR) is the largest region of seven regions within Ikebana International, reaching from Canada to the Panama Canal. Its Regional Advocate Committee seeks to strengthen relationships with the 68 NCAR chapters – through engagement, communication and knowledge sharing – to enhance chapter and school vitality.
What is The Ikebana Iwaya Fund?
The Ikebana Iwaya Fund (IIF) is an IRS 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established in 2006 to promote and support ikebana related activity in North America. It seeks to educate the general public and foster the growth of ikebana through collaboration and financial support of organizations with this shared mandate.
The Iwaya Fund is built with public donations, both general and specific. The Estate of Sumako Iwaya is matching these donations into the Endowment Fund. The dividend income generated by its permanent Endowment Fund is used to disburse as grants to its stakeholders (I.I. chapters, ikebana study groups, schools and teachers).
What is The Fort Worth Japanese Society?
The Fort Worth Japanese Society was founded in 1985 and moved into its present location at 3608 Park Lake Drive in 1986.
We have over 300 members including Japanese working in Fort Worth, Japanese spouses of Americans, Japanese-American Nisei and Sansei, Americans who have an interest in Japanese business and culture, Americans who trade in Asia and corporations with ties to Japan.
There are many programs and events sponsored by the society, which include....
Become a member of our Chapter and enjoy these benefits
Multiple Ikebana Schools
Ikebana International is the only organization where you can learn about many different ikebana schools.
Monthly Chapter Meetings
Members get together at monthly meetings to see ikebana demonstrations, hear lectures on related topics or participate in ikebana workshops.
Transferability of Membership
A member is welcome to visit other chapter programs while on their travels. The membership is also transferable from one chapter to another at any time of the year upon presentation of a valid membership card.
Associate Membership
A member may belong to additional chapters at reduced rates upon proof of membership of their primary chapter.
Opportunity for lessons
Members can obtain contact information of certified ikebana teachers that belong to the chapter, as well as information of teachers that teach virtually from another chapter.
Opportunity to teach new students
Teachers can gain students and be listed in the North and Central American Region’s website. Alternatively, teachers encourage their students to become members.
Ikebana International Magazine
A premier publication, issued three times a year, richly illustrated with color plates of ikebana arrangements, articles on ikebana or related arts, and in-depth Japanese cultural subjects.
Chapter Activities and Sakura News
Two quarterly newsletters from I.I. Headquarters that keep members informed of chapter activities around the world and at I.I. Headquarters.
Regional Conferences and World Conventions
Regional Conferences are held periodically every 4 to 5 years in various regions throughout the world for the purpose of offering educational and cultural exchange opportunities to the members. The I.I. World Convention is held every five years in Japan.
"Friendship through Flowers"
This is our motto
Sogetsu School of Ikebana
Sogetsu Ikebana was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara who concluded that ikebana is a creative art that can take many forms and expressions. His basic premise is that “anyone can enjoy Sogetsu Ikebana anytime, anywhere, using any material”.
Sogetsu Ikebana is appropriate in any room of one’s home, in public spaces such as hotel lobbies, banquet rooms, department stores or out of door locations. Suitable for both Japanese and Western environments, it is one of the most contemporary ikebana schools of design.
Akane Teshigahara is the current and Fourth Iemoto (or headmaster), grand-daughter of Sofu Teshigahara, niece of Kasumi Teshigahara (2nd Iemoto) and daughter of Hiroshi Teshigahara (3rd Iemoto).
There are forty-seven local branches in Japan (one for each prefecture and three in Tokyo) as well as some hundred branches overseas.
Teachers
Contact our teachers by emailing our chapter at: ikebanafortworth@gmail.com
Chapter Gallery
Photos from our events
Click Image to enlarge and swipe
