FALL NEWSLETTER #48
November 2021
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2021: An unexpected second half of the year. Everyone in BC experienced the “heat dome” from late June to early July; wildfires raged with much less rain than usual in the summertime; unpleasant news abounded. However, through Ikebana, we can see that the hope of life resides in tiny sprouts of leaves.
As the government regulatory system relaxed, some of the Powell Street Festival indoor exhibitions were allowed from July 31st to August 1st. This onsite exhibition was good news. Although we had to share the gym space in the historical Vancouver Japanese Language School, it still inspired us to share the beauty of ikebana and bring peace and comfort to the audience. There were seven arrangements from Sogetsu, three from Sangetsu and three from Ikenobo. Thanks to those who participated, for your courage and enthusiasm.
By the end of July, we were invited to join the Downtown Surrey Voices Event on August 11th for a 30 minute presentation on Ikebana. I’m glad we had the opportunity to reach out to a different community to introduce our artform. Surrey Voices had a new series of events that aim to celebrate Surrey’s cultural diversity. Japan Day included a group of Japanese dancers and Ikebana. The decision was made to have one teacher from each school to do a quick demonstration and brief introduction of their respective school. We were in Holland Park; the weather was hot and windy. People enjoyed the event from a distance….another valuable experience earned!
Greta Kos in action. Arrangements by Karen Mizushima
After the summer, the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre offered two tables for ikebana at their Mini Matsuri (festival in small scale, Sept. 4-5) to advertise our upcoming October Fall Show. There were four arrangements covering four schools created by Greta Kos, Karen Mizushima, Joan Fairs and Cecily Chang.
The VIA Fall Show on October 10th was a great success! I’m glad we had the encouragement from both the Consul General of Japan, Mr. Hatori, and the Executive Director of the Nikkei Centre, Ms. Karah Goshinmon Foster. It was our first exhibition at the Nikkei Centre and our second ever Fall Show. The venue and its facilities were excellent. A great thanks to our show committee members who spent much time and effort in coordinating the event, especially for the area in rememberance of members we lost in the past few years. Notably, there was a tribute to Kaz Takahashi of Kado-Sumi for her long term support, enthusiasm and volunteer work with the VIA and at the Nikkei Centre. Thank you all for your support and participation. Ikebana is a Japanese tradition so it was good to have a connection with the Nikkei Centre. Knowing that we are going to have the 2022 Spring Show in the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver,I still hope that we keep strong ties with the Nikkei Centre and look forward to future collaborations!
Due to the pandemic and harsh weather conditions, some Chrysanthemum growers’ daily lives were influenced. Therefore the Mum Shows of 2021 have been cancelled. Also, it was agreed that we won’t have a Christmas gathering but will have lunch together at the AGM on January 22, 2022 instead. My term as president will be up this coming January, and Kimberly Cooke will lead VIA further down the road. With the younger generation’s leadership, I believe the spirit of ikebana will be inherited far and long. We have had a quiet 2020 and dramatic 2021, now we are looking forward to a bright 2022! All the best to the new team!
Cecily Chang
Treasurer’s/ Membership Report
Bank Balance January 1, 2021 $5073.47
Receipts 4,716.05
Disbursements 3,064.25
Bank Balance, October 26, 2021 $6,725.27
Plus 2 term deposits of $2000.00 and $5000.00
We have 87 paid members plus 3 honorary for a total of 90 members at this time.
Rose Scott
November 2021 Library Report
Our newest acquisition is the 2021 Summer edition of the Sogetsu Magazine. It features an article “Sogetsu in Vancouver”, and is available for circulation. A list of books has been distributed to members. You can borrow books by contacting Joan at: joanfairs@gmail.com
Romy Chan
A Fall Ikebana Show 2021 (October 10, 2021) – Japanese Floral Arrangement
A day after the heavy rain, it was beautifully sunny as the Vancouver Ikebana Association (VIA) hosted its Fall Show at the Nikkei Centre in Burnaby. The show hasn’t been hosted for the last two years due to COVID-19. At the Opening ceremony, Consul General Takashi HATORI cut the ribbon and congratulated VIA for the show, wishing much success.
There are three VIA founding members left, but only two were able to attend (they are seen at both ends of the photo).
After two years absence, it was difficult to recognize everyone in their masks, and many with silver gray hair.
Among all these changes, it was good to see the future generation, such as a mother and the daughter, both ikebana teachers of Sangetsu School participating.
A large display which could grace a hotel lobby was created by Hollis Ho of Sogetsu School. (Pictured at right)
As always, Cecily Chang, the Ikenobo School teacher and current President of VIA, was the emcee. I’ve been attending the Ikebana show for over 10 years, and each year I learn something new.
The Maze-ike, mixed arrangement she demonstrated, shows the transition of the season from Summer to Fall.
There was a tribute to Kaz Takahashi who passed away on July 15 at the age of 89. Her teacher, Reicho Sumi sensei (96, the founder of Kado Sumi School), prepared a flower arrangement in her memory. Kaz was active in the community, teaching and giving demonstrations at various events for many years. She passed away a week before her 90th birthday.
It was a Thanksgiving weekend…I felt the power of nature, flowers and the plant, and was reminded to live with appreciation for our health and everyday life.
(Photos and article written and translated by Louise Akuzawa, freelance writer)
Original story in Japanese: http://canadaculture.blog.fc2.com/#entry956
VIA Fall Show
In mid-June, we started discussions with Yukiko Nishikawa, the Special Event Coordinator of the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, about the possibility of having an exhibition in their Event Hall. The concept of “partnership” that we have with the Roundhouse Community Centre triggered the idea of having an ikebana exhibition to benefit both the Nikkei Centre and VIA.
Different possibilities and proposals were discussed, and several meetings and visits were held by our show committee members. Yukiko suggested the Thanksgiving weekend in order to attract more people to enjoy the show since the farmer’s market would also be open outside the building. The final decision was a one-day show on October 10th.
Everything had to be in place in time: the poster (designed by Weijing Zou of Ikenobo), the invitation (to our honorable guests and founding members), the floor plan, demonstration schedule, front door shift schedule and the announcement to various public media. I’m happy we had a remarkable team to work together to make all these jobs possible in just a few months.
This Fall Show marks our second ever in the history of the organization, and VIA’s first exhibition at the Nikkei Centre. This is also the first time we dedicated an area in memory of our ikebana friends and artists who lost their lives during the past three years. The Centre also helped us in recognizing the contribution of Kaz Takahashi (Kado Sumi School) who had been a long term volunteer there. There were a total of 56 arrangements (21 Sogetsu, 10 Sangetsu, 5 Kado Sumi, and 20 Ikenobo) in the event hall, plus three memorial table arrangements, a large entrance arrangement by Rose Scott of Ikenobo, and 9 demonstrated arrangements by various schools. Louise Akuzawa (former Shinpo reporter, now a director of NNMCC) wrote about our events on her own blog; and Shinpo (the Japanese electronic newspaper) reported our show as well. Entrance arrangement by Rose Scott
Differing from previous annual shows, we shortened the opening ceremony to 30 minutes, and offered only 30 minutes for each demonstration. To manage an indoor exhibition during the pandemic season, we had to learn how to check the vaccine record at the admission table and count the number of people entering the hall. I am grateful to those who took shifts at the entrance. We had roughly 314 visitors on this 1-day show and made a small surplus of about $150.00 from donations after expenses.
Thank you all for your participation. I know some of you travelled from faraway places – Rose Scott from Vernon (5 hours’ drive to Vancouver) and Sunny Mizushima from Nanaimo; and perhaps there’s some more! Your passion in participation is recognized and appreciated!
With the encouragement of the Consul General Mr. Hatori, the full support from the Executive Director of Nikkei Ms. Karah Goshinmon Foster, the coordination by Yukiko Nishikawa and Patrick, the custodian, all members’ warm-hearted participation and audience’s appreciation, I believe everyone enjoyed a wonderful time at the Fall Show. Ikebana is a Japanese floral art, a Japanese expression of culture and tradition. I believe there is plenty of room for our conversation with the Nikkei Centre in the future!
Cecily Chang
Special round table arrangements by Sogetsu, Kado Sumi, Sangetsu and Ikenobo, clockwise from top left.
