About Ikebana
いけばな 生け花
IKEBANA /ìːkeɪbɑ́ːnə/ [noun]
Ikebana is the art of Japanese floral arrangement. Ikebana literally means "living flowers", from IKERU "keep alive" + HANA "flower".
Ikebana first appeared around the fifteenth century. It was practiced with formal guidelines and discipline, and it was believed that established forms should be strictly followed. However, Sofu Teshigahara, the first headmaster of The Sogetsu Ikebana, began to question the traditions of Ikebana in which people could not express their originality, so in 1927 he founded the Sogetsu School of Ikebana.
Since then, under the leadership, inspiration and teachings of four generations of headmasters, The Sogetsu Ikebana has evolved into an art of creative expression with infinite possibilities, both in style and material.
Through Ikebana, you will be able to express yourself, establish your personal style, connect with your sense of beauty and show your artistic intention.
About Toko
Toko Tazawa is an Ikebana artist and instructor, with over 15 years experience in London, Hong Kong and Melbourne.
As an artist Toko creates Ikebana installations to supply to various commercial and business spaces, individual homes and event venues.
Toko is an accredited instructor from The Sogetsu School of Ikebana, and also runs certificate courses as well as casual classes and workshops.
Toko believes having one on one time with flowers and plants has a calming effect on one’s mind, and she loves nothing more than the sense of fulfilment and contentment that her connection with Ikebana gives her.
Toko is currently a member of the Ikebana Gallery Award Committee.
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草月流いけばなのレッスンをメルボルンで主宰しています。
師範の取得を目指した方も、もっとお気軽に花に接したい方も、ご自分のペースで学んでいただけます。
レストランやカフェ、バーなどの飲食店、オフィスやご自宅、パーティーやイベントでの生け込みを始め、お子様のバースデーパーティーでのアクティビティとしての企画や、学校でのレッスンやデモンストレーションなどにもお伺いいたします。
忙しい日々の中、つかの間でも無心に花と向き合う時間、自分だけの時間があると、心が落ち着き満たされるように思います。目に良いとされている緑色や、花のビタミンカラーを見つめることで、目を通して栄養補給をしているのかもしれませんね。
心の栄養補給にいけばな。ぜひ一度レッスンにいらしてください。
田澤 桐香
Services
Arrangement Service
Bespoke Ikebana floral arrangement service at various venues are available. It can be tailored to suit your individual needs and preference. In Toko's Ikebana you will find one of a kind beauty with Japanese sensibility, created by observing nature. Ikebana floral arrangements are generally created on-site.
- restaurants, bars and cafes
- hotel lobbies, receptions and rooms
- offices and corporate events
- hospitals and clinics
- parties and functions
- your home
Classes
Formal classes are offered to learn the theory and skills of The Sogetsu Ikebana. As a qualified instructor, Toko runs certificate courses following the Sogetsu School of Ikebana textbooks. They cover all the necessary basics for beginners to acquire skills through actual interaction with flowers and by deepening their understanding of the plant materials. Toko will guide you through the simple, yet elegant art of Japanese floral arrangement to help you pursue your creativity. You can bring your own plant materials such as flowers, branches and foliage, or they can be provided by Toko*.
*additional cost applies
Workshops
Introductory workshops are offered throughout the year. All the materials, including the vase and floral materials, will be provided for you to take home. Secateurs will also be provided for use during the class, so you will not have to bring anything - just yourself. It is a perfect opportunity if you wish to have a taste of Ikebana arrangement. Workshops are offered during school holidays with various themes and children are welcome to participate.
Birthday Parties
Ikebana floral arrangement as a birthday party activity is available at the location of your choice. Fresh plants and flowers are often overlooked as material for arts and crafts, but children have so much fun working with them. Costs vary, depending on your needs and choice of arrangement.
Other Services and Ideas
- Give your loved ones an opportunity to learn Ikebana as a gift
- Have an Ikebana demonstration and cultural emersion experience at your school
- Organise an Ikebana workshop as a group activity at a hen’s night, a birthday party or at an aged care facility etc.
Testimonials
Classes / Workshops
- "My friends and I partook in a class with Toko and were extremely pleased with her teaching, the beautiful materials she provided and the overall atmosphere of the lesson. Thank you to Toko for sharing her experience with us and giving us this opportunity to learn about the tranquil and artistic nature of ikebana. It was incredibly worthwhile!" (S.Y)
- “レッスンは少人数で、じっくりと先生の指導をうけられます。線と塊、花の向きや枝の高低などを意識してメリハリをつけて表現する、などの先生の的確なご指導で、生け花の楽しみが大きく広がりました。さまざまな人種、文化が交錯するメルボルンで、時に日本ではあまり見ないような大ぶりの花や葉ものを使いながら日本の伝統である生け花を学べることは、とても貴重な経験です” (S.K)
Arrangement Service
- “Thank you to Toko for the original & architectural flower arrangements for my party. I wanted something out of the ordinary and you delivered beyond my expectations!” (Z.C)
- “It is eye opening to see what Toko can create, which is truly an art piece" (N.M)
- "Toko provided us with a wonderful arrangement in keeping with our Japanese themed post-wedding party festivities. She did this based on a remote brief we provided her from Queensland. As she did her work on site, her ability to capture the right mood and to use the venue and setting to best advantage were obvious. Her piece was a highlight for us and for our guess to enjoy. We would highly recommend Toko to anyone considering the use of Ikebana in whatever setting it might be enjoyed in." (M.M & J.F)
Birthday Parties
- "As a child who enjoys creating things it was a wonderful opportunity for my daughter to work with a different medium and experience first hand the beauty of flowers. The pieces my daughter created were both beautiful and different and she took much enjoyment from the pieces being displayed in our home" (S.R)
- "My daughter absolutely loved the unique workshop and would jump at the chance to do it again. Not only was it fun making the arrangement but she loved learning the art of creating beautiful arrangements that she could then make at home. It's lovely to find a holiday activity that is truly unique and enables the kids to create something they are truly proud" (E.L)
- "As a creative, flower-loving 11-year-old, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed this unique workshop experience with Toko. She came home armed with not just a beautiful arrangement, but new-found Ikebana knowledge, proudly passing on the tips on how she achieved it!" (C.T)