News ~ Shoso Shimbo

Ikebana Newsletter Melbourne

September 2026

1. Events Calendar

27–28 August 2026 – Ikebana Therapy Guide Certification Training Course
29–30 August 2026 – Melbourne Ikebana Festival
29 August 2026 – Ikebana Performance with Jessica Aszodi at Melbourne Recital Centre
1 September 2026 - Ikebana Battle at Beleura House
12 September 2026 - Ikebana Introductry Workshop
17 October 2026 - Ikebana Introductry Workshop

2. Melbourne Ikebana Festival, 29 & 30 August

Hilights

Certified Ikebana Therapy Guide Course (applications closed)
Distilling Nature: Jessica Azodi, Shoso Shimbo & Yen Huynh (Melbourne Recital Centre) - Experience a captivating multisensory performance where ikebana, music, and fragrance bring nature’s essence to life.
Ikebana Battle with Canapes & Drinks (Beleura House) - Celebrate the Arrival of Spring with Five Ikebana Masters from Kyoto. (applications close on 24 August 2026)

International Ikebana Exhibition,

Bridal Ikebana Bouquet Competition,

Japan Ikebana Therapy Association Exhibition,

Ikenobo Melbourne Special Exhibition,

Ikebana Demonstrations,

Ikebana Conference (Professor Emeriyus Niikawa, Doshisha University, Kyoto - Free Online),

Ikebana Vase Exhibition (Hiroe Swen Award),

Ikebana Workshops (Including beginner classes, men’s classes, and Japanese-language sessions) and more.

Book Tickets

Volunteers Wanted
Join our creative team! We welcome not only ikebana practitioners, but also those interested in Japanese culture, event management, or marketing.

3. Ikebana Galllery Award

Winners Annunced

4. Class Dates – Term 3, 2026 (Certificate Courses)

Fee: $200 for 8 sessions
Enrolment: New students are welcome at any time.

Wednesday Class (1:00–2:30 pm)
12, 19 August
9, 16 September
7, 14, 21, 28 October

Wednesday Class (7:00–8:30 pm)
12, 19 August
9, 16 September
7, 14, 21, 28 October

Saturday Class (10:00–11:30 am)

8, 15, 22 August
5, 12, September
10, 16, 24, October

Please note: Class dates may be subject to change. Join our mailing list for updates.

5. Ikebana Introductory Class

A one-hour, all-inclusive ikebana workshop designed for beginners.

Bring your friends or family and experience the beauty of Japanese floral art together.

Fee: $75 per person
Venues: Murrumbeena or North Balwyn

6. Online Ikebana Lessons - Zoom Ikebana Dojo

Ikebana Aesthetics Program

Learn the 4 Ikebana Principles and 4 Ikebana Elements over one year (24 sessions). Level Three: Beyond Desing Principles starting in September 2026.

1000 Ikebana Challenge

Create one ikebana work per day for 1000 days.
Newly revised conditions designed to foster genuine, personal transformation. Not for whose who have not learned Ikebana foundation.

Monthly Ikebana Challenge

Join our facilitator each month on Zoom and receive personalised feedback on your ikebana creations.

19 September 2026: 14:00 ~ 14:30

21 November 2026: 14:00 ~ 14:30

7. New Bank Account Details

Account Name: Tsubo Melbourne Pty Ltd
BSB: 033070
Account Number: 527917

8. Ikebana in Schools

Shoso and his associates have launched a project to promote ikebana to Australian students.
More information: http://bit.ly/Ikebana-School

9. Ikebana for Your Shop or Office?

Introductory Offer – 50% Off

Elevate your shop or office ambience with fresh ikebana arrangements.
Shoso and his skilled team create bespoke floral works tailored to your space.

10. Looking for an Ikebana Class Near You?

Visit the directory:
https://www.ikebanafestival.com/directory

11. Hanadayori: Online Exhibition, Photo Book & Perfumes

Hanadayori is a signature online event of the Melbourne Ikebana Festival. We plan to publish tne next photobook in Septemebr 2026.

12. Recent Publications

Shoso’s Publication

Shimbo, S. (2026). Environmental Art: Ikebana Meets Contemporary Art. In L.A. Joubert (Ed.), Craft—Tradition and Invention, Vol. 40. Springer, Singapore.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0485-5_19

13. Shoso Featured in the Media