Ambassador Yamanouchi’s Attendance at the Opening Ceremony of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter No. 120 Exhibition 2025 - “Nature’s Beauty Reimagined”
令和7年9月11日
On September 11, 2025, Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi attended the opening ceremony of the 2025 exhibition “Nature’s Beauty Reimagined”, co-organized by Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter No. 120 and the Canadian Museum of Nature. The event was held at the Canadian Museum of Nature with invited guests, ahead of the exhibition’s public opening on September 12. This year marks the 56th anniversary of the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter, as well as the 40th anniversary of its co-hosting partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature — making it a milestone year.
The exhibition is organized as part of an important initiative by the Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter and the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, Ottawa Branch, who work together across school traditions to pass the art of ikebana on to the next generation. In the exhibition space, ikebana works expressing inspirations drawn from nature—created under the theme Nature’s Beauty Reimagined—were beautifully displayed in a serene setting.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, expressed her appreciation to Ambassador Yamanouchi and Mrs. Yukiko Yamanouchi—Honorary President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter—for their support of the Chapter. Ambassador Yamanouchi then delivered remarks, noting that the Chapter’s motto, “Friendship through Flowers,” offers hope to a world facing numerous challenges. He also highlighted that Japan and Canada share many common values—not only freedom and a market economy, but also a deep respect for nature. Finally, Ms. Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter, expressed her delight in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Chapter’s partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature. She also conveyed her gratitude to the Embassy of Japan for its long-standing support of the promotion and development of ikebana in Ottawa.
The exhibition is organized as part of an important initiative by the Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter and the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, Ottawa Branch, who work together across school traditions to pass the art of ikebana on to the next generation. In the exhibition space, ikebana works expressing inspirations drawn from nature—created under the theme Nature’s Beauty Reimagined—were beautifully displayed in a serene setting.
At the opening ceremony, Dr. Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, expressed her appreciation to Ambassador Yamanouchi and Mrs. Yukiko Yamanouchi—Honorary President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter—for their support of the Chapter. Ambassador Yamanouchi then delivered remarks, noting that the Chapter’s motto, “Friendship through Flowers,” offers hope to a world facing numerous challenges. He also highlighted that Japan and Canada share many common values—not only freedom and a market economy, but also a deep respect for nature. Finally, Ms. Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Chapter, expressed her delight in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Chapter’s partnership with the Canadian Museum of Nature. She also conveyed her gratitude to the Embassy of Japan for its long-standing support of the promotion and development of ikebana in Ottawa.
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| Ambassador Yamanouchi giving remarks |
Ms. Breau, President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I. delivering remarks |
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| Dr. Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature delivering remarks |
Ambassador Yamanouchi receiving an explanation of the exhibited works |
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| Exhibition space |
From left, Ambassador Yamanouchi, Dr. Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ms. Breau, President of the Ottawa Chapter of I.I. |
Ikebana arrangements (selected pieces)