Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibit 2011
On April 9-10, 2011, the Sogetsu School of Ikebana held their annual exhibition at the Embassy of Japan.
The theme of this year’s exhibit was “The Secret Life of Trees”. To begin the opening ceremony, Ms. Linda Jones, exiting director of the Sogetsu School, spoke of the theme in reference to a lone pine tree which appeared in a news article from Japan. In Rikuzentakata, Japan, a well-known fishing village which was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, a lone pine tree stands where there were once 70,000. For the Sogetsu School, their previously-chosen theme became especially poignant upon reading this story. The story can be found here.
Minister Kouji Abe thanked Canadians for their outpouring of support for the people of Japan during this difficult time. He also commented on the changing of seasons and how spring represents renewal and new beginnings. He requested a moment of silence to remember the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.
The Sogetsu School and the Embassy of Japan were honoured to have the attendance of Mrs. Mieko Watanabe, the founder of Sogetsu in Ottawa, who traveled from Montreal to attend the opening ceremony.
With spring finally arriving in Ottawa, it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy nature in bloom. Approximately 550 visitors viewed the two-day exhibit to admire the beautiful Ikebana arrangements.
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