Ikebana International Sydney Chapter#36 Welcomes You
Friendship Through Flowers
About
We are the Sydney Chapter of Ikebana International, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Our organisation was founded in 1956 by Mrs. Ellen Gordon Allen who first encountered ikebana when she came to Japan with her husband, U.S. General Frank A. Allen shortly after WWII.  She saw ikebana as a symbol of peace, and the idea of "Friendship Through Flowers" was born. Â
Sydney Chapter was founded by late Norman Sparnon OAM who went to Japan after WWII and leaned both Sogetsu and Ikenobo schools of Ikebana. He spread the art of Ikebana throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Learning Ikebana in Sydney and New South Wales
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There are over over two thousand different schools of ikebana registered in Japan and among them, over two hundred schools are said to be active. The first school, Ikenobo goes back to the 700s CE and is considered the oldest school. Five schools are represented in our club including Ikenobo, Chiko, Koryu Shoyo-kai, Ohara, Sogetsu.
Sogetsu School
The Sogetsu School was started in 1927 by SofuTeshigahara who questioned the traditions of ikebana and preferred to respect the freedom of individual expressions. "Anytime, anywhere, by anyone" is the creed of this School. Today under the 4th lemoto Akane Teshigahara, Sogetsu is popular around the world as a school that draws out the freedom of expression in each individual, always new, always beautiful and never constrained by preconceptions.
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Our Sogetsu School Teachers:
Masae Ako
Sogetsu First Grade Riji
email: masaeako@gmail.com
mobile: 0408 150 354
Hiroko Prado
Sogetsu First Grade Riji
email: hirokoprado77@gmail.com
mobile: 0477 224 443
www.hirokopradoikebana.com
Jenny Goodwin
email: jenny@winwell.com.au
Chiko School
Chiko School's intention is to create an elegant beauty with a modern sensibility.  Accessories such as seasonal fruits or vegetables, ornaments, doll or other artistic or folk objects are often included.  Sand is sometimes sprinkled at the base as a way to pull the composition together.
Koryu Shoyo-kai School
Our Koryu Shoyo-kai Teacher
Megumi Bennett - Head of Koryu School Shoyo-kai in Australia
Address: Koryu School of Ikebana, Hidden Orient
206-208 Forest Way
Belrose NSW 2085
Mobile: 0432 680 331
email: bennettmegumi@gmail.com
Ohara School
Ohara School emphasizes seasonal qualities, natural growth processes, and the beauty of natural environments. Unshin Ohara founded this school in the late nineteenth century when he departed from previous ikebana forms and created the moribana style. This later evolved into the school's "landscape arrangement". Worldwide there are 130,000 Ohara teachers and over one million students.
Our Ohara School Teacher:
Kuniko Nakano
Ohara School Master Teacher
Ohara School President
email: hanatsubaki1@hotmail.com
mobile: +61 450 149 190
home: 02 9880 2160
Ikenobo School
Ikenobo School began over 550 years ago and is considered the origin of ikebana. Founded by Prince Shotoku at Choho-ji Temple in Kyoto, it was developed by priests famous for their skill in arranging flowers.
Aya Shibata
email: aya52surf@gmail.com
mobile: 0432 742 482
Get in touch today and get involved with our cause.
Join Us!
Membership Benefit
Eligibility to participate in Sydney Chapter #36’s monthly meetings, ikebana demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops, and other activities.
Three beautiful issues of Ikebana International publication annually sent from the Headquarters in Tokyo.
Eligibility to participate in Ikebana International World Conventions and Regional Conferences
We are a nonprofit organization whose operation is supported by membership fees. By joining us, you will become a key supporter of this association and its initiatives throughout the world and enjoy the tremendous benefits by becoming a member.
Ikebana International business year is from July 1 to June 30. Annual memberships dues are from July 1 to June 30.
BECOME A MEMBER
Your Friendship Through Flowers Begins Here!
Our members don't need to be learning Ikebana; the only thing they need is an interest in is Japanese culture. So what are you waiting for!?
Please fill out the Application Form and send it to ikebanasydney@hotmail.com
and send $100 membership fee payable to Ikebana International Sydney chapter #36 Inc.
After the payment is confirmed, a Membership Card will be sent to the applicant.
Contact Ikebana International Sydney Chapter#36
Get in touch with us to learn more about our membership and how you can get involved.
655 Pacific Highway, Chatswood
+614 1356 4256