Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition: “Summer in the City”
2025/7/20
On July 19th and 20th, the Embassy of Japan held this year's Sogetsu ikebana exhibition "Summer in the City” in collaboration with the Sogetsu School of Ikebana Ottawa Branch at the Embassy’s auditorium. The exhibition featured works that evoked a summery, urban atmosphere using mainly greenery as the main flower material, attracting many visitors. In addition, materials such as Sogetsu School of Ikebana textbooks, tools, and vases that are essential for creating ikebana works were also on display, and the basic rules of Ikebana and beautiful flower combinations were introduced to visitors.
At the opening ceremony, which was held on the first day of the event, Ms. Sigler, Director of the Ottawa Branch of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, gave a speech, mentioning the very first exhibition that was co-hosted by the Ottawa Branch and the Embassy of Japan in 2001, and expressed her gratitude for the Embassy's support to help develop the Ottawa Branch over the years. In addition, exhibition co-chairs Ms. McCaughey and Ms. Romero Castro, explained the exhibition’s theme, "Summer in the City”. Lastly, the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Kouhei Maruyama delivered remarks, expressing his gratitude to the Ottawa Branch for its many years of efforts in promoting ikebana, and stated his hope that the exhibition would help deepen mutual understanding between the two countries. The exhibition was declared open by Mr. Maruyama.
Selected pieces of ikebana arrangements
At the opening ceremony, which was held on the first day of the event, Ms. Sigler, Director of the Ottawa Branch of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, gave a speech, mentioning the very first exhibition that was co-hosted by the Ottawa Branch and the Embassy of Japan in 2001, and expressed her gratitude for the Embassy's support to help develop the Ottawa Branch over the years. In addition, exhibition co-chairs Ms. McCaughey and Ms. Romero Castro, explained the exhibition’s theme, "Summer in the City”. Lastly, the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Kouhei Maruyama delivered remarks, expressing his gratitude to the Ottawa Branch for its many years of efforts in promoting ikebana, and stated his hope that the exhibition would help deepen mutual understanding between the two countries. The exhibition was declared open by Mr. Maruyama.
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| Minister Maruyama delivering his remarks |
Ms. Sigler, Director of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana Ottawa Branch, giving her remarks |
Ms. McCaughey (right) and Ms. Romero Castro (left), Exhibition co-chairs, giving their remarks |
Selected pieces of ikebana arrangements
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| Minister Maruyama receives a tour of the exhibition |
From right, Ms. Yamasaki, Director of the Information and Culture Centre, Minister Maruyama, Ms. Sigler, Ms. McCaughey |
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| Approximately 400 visitors admired the works over two days |
From right, Ms. McCaughey, Ms. Sigler, Minister Maruyama, Ms. Breau, and Ms. Romero Castro |
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| Minister Maruyama and Members of Sogetsu School of Ikebana Ottawa Branch | Kakejiku (Japanese hanging scroll of calligraphy) created by Minister Maruyama |