Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition: “Celebrating a Century of Sogetsu : The Avant-Garde Spirit”
2026/6/7
On June 6 and 7, the Embassy of Japan hosted this year's Sogetsu ikebana exhibition at the Information and Culture Centre, co-organized with the Sogetsu School of Ikebana Ottawa Branch. The theme of this exhibition, “Celebrating a Century of Sogetsu: The Avant-Garde Spirit,” honours the upcoming centennial of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in 2027. Since 1927, when the first Iemoto, Sofu Teshigahara, established the Sogetsu School in Aoyama, Tokyo, its core spirit of “anytime, anywhere, by anyone” has been carefully preserved and passed down. This exhibition beautifully embodied that fundamental philosophy here in Ottawa.
At the opening ceremony on the first day, Ms. Elaine Sigler, Director of the Sogetsu Ottawa Branch, delivered the opening remarks. She noted that in anticipation of next year’s centennial, this year’s exhibition celebrates the history and the avant-garde spirit inherited over generations, while expressing her deep gratitude to the Embassy for its extensive support. Following her remarks, Ms. Nancy Sharp, Co-Chair of the exhibition, provided an explanation of the theme. To conclude, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Hideaki Ishii gave remarks in which he praised the Sogetsu Ottawa Branch—celebrating its 30th anniversary this year—for its significant long-term contributions to the development and promotion of Ikebana culture in Ottawa.
As part of the Sogetsu Headquarters’ centennial project, “Ikebana Inspired by the Number 100,” the exhibition featured a collaborative effort with visitors to create and display 100 miniature Ikebana arrangements, beautifully adding colour and vibrancy to the venue.
*Centennial commemorative projects are currently being held both in Japan and internationally. For more details, please visit the official Sogetsu website.
Official Sogetsu Website: https://www.sogetsu.or.jp/e/events/hq-org/34185/
Selected pieces of ikebana arrangements
At the opening ceremony on the first day, Ms. Elaine Sigler, Director of the Sogetsu Ottawa Branch, delivered the opening remarks. She noted that in anticipation of next year’s centennial, this year’s exhibition celebrates the history and the avant-garde spirit inherited over generations, while expressing her deep gratitude to the Embassy for its extensive support. Following her remarks, Ms. Nancy Sharp, Co-Chair of the exhibition, provided an explanation of the theme. To conclude, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Hideaki Ishii gave remarks in which he praised the Sogetsu Ottawa Branch—celebrating its 30th anniversary this year—for its significant long-term contributions to the development and promotion of Ikebana culture in Ottawa.
As part of the Sogetsu Headquarters’ centennial project, “Ikebana Inspired by the Number 100,” the exhibition featured a collaborative effort with visitors to create and display 100 miniature Ikebana arrangements, beautifully adding colour and vibrancy to the venue.
*Centennial commemorative projects are currently being held both in Japan and internationally. For more details, please visit the official Sogetsu website.
Official Sogetsu Website: https://www.sogetsu.or.jp/e/events/hq-org/34185/
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| Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Ishii giving remarks | Ms. Sigler, Director of the Sogetsu Ottawa Branch delivering her speech | Ms. Sharp, Exhibition co-chairs, delivering her remarks |
Selected pieces of ikebana arrangements
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| Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Ishii creating a miniature piece for the Sogetsu Headquarters’ centennial project, “Ikebana Inspired by the Number 100” |
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Ishii displaying the very first miniature piece for the Sogetsu Headquarters’ centennial project |
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| Approximately 720 visitors admired the works over two days |
Visitors creating their own miniature pieces |
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| Miniature pieces displayed at the Information and Culture Centre | |