Ambassador and Mrs. Yamanouchi’s Attendance at the Opening Ceremony of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter No. 120 Exhibition 2023 - “Encounter with Nature”
2023/11/8
On November 8, 2023, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi and Mrs. Yukiko Yamanouchi attended the opening ceremony of the 2023 exhibition, entitled "Encounter with Nature" held at the Canadian Museum of Nature. The event was hosted by the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter No. 120 and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The exhibition was held in person for the first time in four years since 2019, and a total of 23 ikebana works that reflected the current season, which is both beautiful and somewhat bittersweet, filled the exhibition space. Also on display were arrangements honouring Ms. Mieko Watanabe, founder of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana Ottawa and Montreal Branches, who passed away in September last year, and Mr. Mitsugi Kikuchi, Japanese painter and founder of the Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter, who passed away in March of this year.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Anne Breau, President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I. expressed her joy at being able to hold the exhibition at the Museum for the first time in four years, while Dr. Danika Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, described the exhibition as a great opportunity for a wide range of people to take an interest in nature and that she welcomes the event. Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi then delivered his speech, stating that this exhibition, which plays an important historical, architectural, and cultural role, truly represents the friendship and exchange between Canada and Japan. He said that each work has its own individuality and deepens its resonance because it is created from a dialogue between the ikebana artist and nature. On behalf of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, the Honourable Senator Stanley Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Group gave a few words praising the collaboration between the two ikebana schools and congratulated the success of the exhibition. Finally, Mrs. Yamanouchi, Honorary President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I., cut the garland as ribbon-cutting and declared the exhibition officially open.
The exhibition was also featured on CTV News and can be viewed using the link below.
Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Floral Designs
Ikebana arrangements (selected pieces)
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Anne Breau, President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I. expressed her joy at being able to hold the exhibition at the Museum for the first time in four years, while Dr. Danika Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, described the exhibition as a great opportunity for a wide range of people to take an interest in nature and that she welcomes the event. Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi then delivered his speech, stating that this exhibition, which plays an important historical, architectural, and cultural role, truly represents the friendship and exchange between Canada and Japan. He said that each work has its own individuality and deepens its resonance because it is created from a dialogue between the ikebana artist and nature. On behalf of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group, the Honourable Senator Stanley Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Group gave a few words praising the collaboration between the two ikebana schools and congratulated the success of the exhibition. Finally, Mrs. Yamanouchi, Honorary President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I., cut the garland as ribbon-cutting and declared the exhibition officially open.
The exhibition was also featured on CTV News and can be viewed using the link below.
Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Floral Designs
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| Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Ms. Breau, President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I. |
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| Dr. Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature |
The Honourable Senator Kutcher, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group |
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| Mrs. Yamanouchi cut the garland to declare the official opening of the exhibition |
Ms. Nagasawa, Vice-President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I. explaining one of the ikebana arrangements to Ambassador Yamanouchi and Mrs. Yamanouchi |
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| Ikebana piece commemorating the passing of Mr. Kikuchi |
Ikebana piece commemorating the passing of Ms. Watanabe
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Ikebana arrangements (selected pieces)