This year's Christmas Ikebana were table arrangements in Moribana Flat form. Some students used round flat vase while others chose long rectangle vase. They arranged in Groups of Ten, Jin and Chi in a vase, then rearrange in three separate cups. These three arrangements were done by students at class. Materials: Spruce, Spray Carnation, Chrysanthemum , Hypericum and Hanging baubles.

Participants at Christmas Ikebana classes. We finished our 2017 Ikebana classes with big smiles. Thank you everyone for attending classes regularly with enthusiasm and making classes enjoyable and such fun. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in February 2018.

My mother, Seiho Nire (楡　清方）passed away on 24th September 2017 at the age of 96. She started teaching Ikebana at Ome, Tokyo in 1957 and taught many students including myself. During her 50 year's career as an Ikebana and Tea ceremony teacher, she exhibited actively at the City Hall and major department stores.  She was also good at Calligraphy and Painting. She was not only an excellent teacher, but also a generous person with compassion.. Her positive attitude was a beacon at difficult times. Her legacy will live in the hearts of us and students. She was surrounded with lots of beautiful flowers in the end. Farewell mother, RIP

I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Ikebana hyakudan-kaidan exhibition held at the Gajoen Hotel.
Here are some of the highlights of the beautiful building built in 1910 as well as some of the Shogetsudokoryu arrangements. 

Ikebana International members from the Shogetsudokoryu school of Ikebana displayed their arrangements at the Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter Annual Exhibition held at the Sofitel on Collins. 
The event was opened by the Consul-General of Japan, Mr Kazuyoshi Matsunaga.

Ikebana International was invited to create an Ikebana display for the Hiroshima Peace Day at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne CBD.