February 2014 Ikebanadallas.org International Arranging expressing our

Dallas Chapter 13 Newsletter From the President

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: President’s message From the President 1 In the Japanese calendar, Dallas Chapter 13’s love of spring begins February 4. In Ikebana. your yard you may see the Nan Mitchell’s demonstration, beginnings of spring: February 20 Program & Directions narcissus leaves peeking out discussion of her experience in to Lake Highland Rec Center 2 of the ground and buds on , the plant material she used symbolic of the schools Japanese Culture & Festivals 2 fruit trees tricked by the of Ikebana, was very well warm weather. Upcoming Ikebana Events 3 received and was a great addition to the other cultural Nan Mitchell and the Featured Events – Mark your Dallas Chapter 13 hasn’t arrangement she Calendar 4 slowed down since January events on stage. demonstrated at Mochitsuki began. Susan Ashley’s gourd containers with woven Nan arranged white lilies, pine, Chronicles.” She will accents at the January red berries and bare curly provide us with some February 20 meeting were amazing. willow branches in a large red fascinating information on Susan discussed the gourd container. We want to Meeting Location: the development of ikebana different types of natural thank Barbara Michaels for from the Buddhists of Lake Highlands North materials she uses to being Nan’s assistant for this . As she recounts the demonstration. We also want Recreation Center enhance her gourds. She interesting story of how the also explained the weaving to thank our historian, Paula Ikenobo and Sogetsu 9940 White Rock Trail, techniques for the different Brehm, for taking pictures, and schools came about, she Kiyomi and Norika for Dallas, TX 75238 types of baskets she creates. and her assistant, Taeko “working” our exhibit to Horwitz, will also 214.670.7794 Mochitsuki Ikebana Exhibit promote Ikebana Dallas demonstrate. Be sure to Chapter 13. Many other click here for map & directions Expresses Our Love of take note of the location of Ikebana members attended the our February meeting, at (or see pg. 2 for directions) Mochitsuki and the Japan- Festival to help in our booth, left. other booths or to enjoy the America Society of D/FW’s New Year’s Festival gave us festivities. Anna McFarland, Executive Director of the an opportunity to exhibit That mischievous child, Japan-America Society, and arrangements with pine, winter, runs through the many of the Mochitsuki bamboo and budding north woods, branches. Our thanks to volunteers expressed their Once more, before bed. Norika Bamba, Kiyomi appreciation for our participation and willingness J. Hornstein Kurihara, Patricia O’Reilly, Sudha Ramakrishna, Barbara to place some of the Happy Valentine’s Day Stokol, Karen Murrell, and arrangements at various Happy Presidents’ Day Mia Shelton, along with two locations throughout the

of her students, Katie Reid, festival.

January Program – Susan and Jen Tseng, for their Our February 20 meeting will In friendship through flowers, Ashley’s fabulous coiled pine Ikebana floral art created for feature Mia Shelton, Jonin Karen Murrell needle basket with Vetro Art Mochitsuki. All of the Sanyo teacher in the Sogetsu glass arrangements created interest in our display and School with “The Ikebana Page 2 cDallas c Chapter 13 – February 2014

Dallas Chapter 13 – February 20 Program 2

Mia Shelton – The Ikebana Lake Highlands Recreation Center Chronicles 9940 White Rock Trail, Dallas, TX Mia, a Jonin Sanyo teacher in the 75238, 214.670.7794 phone Sogetsu school, is also certified as a teacher in the Ikenobo school. 9:30 am. – 1:30 pm In addition to being an outstanding FROM LBJ - take the Audelia/Skillman exit. Go ikebana artist, Mia has an extensive South on Skillman (right fork) to stoplight at knowledge of its history, which traces Church Road and turn left. Go under the bridge th and turn right (at the light) onto White Rock Mia Shelton and her back to pre-6 century China and the Buddhist ritual of offering flowers to Trail. Turn left into the large parking lot in front Mochitsuki the spirits of the dead. of the Rec Center. arrangement Mia will provide us with an interesting FROM SOUTH OF WALNUT HILL - From 75, exit and lively presentation on the history on Walnut Hill going East. Continue on Walnut my spring is just this: of the Ikenobo and Sogetsu schools Hill past Greenville and Abrams Rd; continue a single bamboo shoot of ikebana while she and her past Skillman and turn left/north (at the light) a willow branch assistant, Taeko Horwitz, create on White Rock Trail. The Rec Center will be on ~Issa exciting Ikenobo and Sogetsu your right. Turn right into the large parking lot. arrangements that complement her discussion. As you enter the building turn left toward the glass registration desk. We will be meeting in the large room to the right.

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. 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 (1603- 1867), 1Dallas Chapter 13 – February 2014 Page 3

Upcoming Ikebana Events

“Learn the Basics; Love the Possibilities” ~ Sue Smith, Jonin Sanyo, Sogetsu School February 14 – Sue will demonstrate how to make better freestyle arrangements using a nageire container. Bring: Nageire vase, several straight sticks the diameter of Fort Worth Chapter 38 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!

“The Ikebana Chronicles” ~ Mia Shelton, Jonin Sanyo, Sogetsu School – Mia will provide us with an interesting and lively presentation on the history of the February 20 Ikenobo and Sogetsu schools of ikebana while she and her assistant, Taeko Dallas Chapter 13 Horwitz, create exciting Ikenobo and Sogetsu arrangements that complement her discussion.

"Your Grandmother's Container" ~ Sally Shockey, Third Grade, Sogetsu School. February 27 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 Sogetsu Dallas Branch lovely hand painted mermaids, or whatever! Sally will show you how to use that container in a Sogetsu arrangement that shines!

"Celebrating Japan’s Girls Day" ~ An informative and entertaining presentation of March 4 a member’s vast Japanese Doll collection which will be on display. This program

Houston Chapter 12 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

"Creative Ikebana" ~ Mia Shelton, Jonin Sanyo, Sogetsu School, will do a March 14 demonstration of the Ikenobo and Sogetsu Schools. She will be assisted by

Fort Worth Chapter 38 Mitsuyo Odom

"The Story of the Kimono" ~ Yasuko Robinson, Komon, Sogetsu School, will do a March 20 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 Dallas Chapter 13 occasions. Be prepared for a little fashion show!

Dallas Chapter 13 and Fort Worth Chapter 38 join Sogetsu Dallas Branch in April 24 - 25 celebrating its 40th Anniversary ~ April 24 & 25, 2014 Sogetsu Dallas Branch Yayoi “Soho” Sakai, Riji, founder of Soho Study Group in San Francisco, is the with guest ikebana artist for the 2-day celebration. Thursday - Demonstration and Dallas and Fort Worth II 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

4Dallas Chapter 13 – February 2014 Page 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.