Melbourne Ikebana Festival, 7 and 8 September 2024ikebanafestival.com

Tuesday 25 June 2024


Thursday 13 June 2024

New Publication: The Way of Ikebana



After delving into extensive literature on Ikebana, I believe that this text stands out as one of the most significant and profound works on Ikebana philosophy in contemporary times. It promises to unravel numerous confusions and misunderstandings surrounding Ikebana, offering invaluable insights into its essence. Shoso Shimbo, PhD.

2024a. The Way of Ikebana (Translation), a chapter from “Hana ni ikiru hitotachi e” (1967) by Suido Yamane. International Journal of Ikebana Studies, 11, 31-34. https://doi.org/10.57290/ikebana.11.0_31


2024b. いけ花と環境倫理 International Journal of Ikebana Studies, 11, 26-30 https://doi.org/10.57290/ikebana.11.0_26


https://www.shoso.com.au 

Tuesday 21 May 2024


Ikebana for Seniors - Half Price


Postponed: New dates will be announced in late 2024.


Would you like to join the Ikebana Research Workshop at a special price? We would like to invite 30 participants to 2 - 3:30 on Sunday 4 August. Our workshops take place in Murrumbeena, Melbourne.


Purpose: The workshop aims to explore the lived experience of seniors being introduced to practising ikebana for the first time.


Research Participation: Participants are required to fill out questionnaires before and after the workshop, provide feedback during brief interviews, and allow researchers to observe their engagement levels.


Eligibility: Participants must be over 60 years old and have no previous formal training in Ikebana.


Cost: The workshop costs $30 per person, with all materials included. This is a special price compared to the normal fee of $60.


Workshop Details: Participants will create Ikebana arrangements under the guidance of an Ikebana teacher. They will be provided with materials, tools, and instructions to create their arrangements.


Post-Workshop: Participants get to take home their Ikebana arrangements. Participants will be contacted by phone for a brief interview about their workshop experience.

Photos of the arrangements will be displayed at the Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival.


Confidentiality: Participants' responses will be kept confidential, and their names will not be mentioned in the study. Information collected will be stored securely.


Have fun with flowers and help us improve our instructions.


If you are interested in participating or have any questions, you can contact us for further details. The questionnaires we are using include the Toronto Mindfulness Scale. shososhimbo@gmail.com


Additional Notes

1. Our studio is upstairs, so if you have difficulty with stairs, please talk to us before you book so we can make arrangements for you.  

2. If you have an allergy to cats or dogs, please let us know. 




















Monday 20 May 2024

Melbourne Ikebana Festival 2024

Press Release

May 18, 2024 



Melbourne Ikebana Festival Proposes New Possibilities of Ikebana from Melbourne!

The Melbourne Ikebana Festival is set to enchant attendees from September 5, 2024. This event will unite Ikebana artists not only from Japan and Vietnam but also from diverse corners of the globe. International musicians and skilled ceramic artists will also be part of this unique festival in the heart of Melbourne. Expect a rich tapestry of Ikebana-related activities and immerse yourself in the captivating displays. 

Calling all talented exhibitors worldwide to participate in the prestigious Ikebana Exhibition – come and share your love of Ikebana with us.

Event Details

Save the dates from September 5th to 8th for the Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival, proudly organized under the guidance of CEO Shoso Shimbo and his team. This immersive event will unfold across prestigious venues including the Melbourne Recital Centre, Abbotsford Convent, and Beleura House in Mornington.

Despite its introduction over 50 years ago, Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, has yet to fully bloom in the hearts of Melbournians. To bridge this gap, we've organized a wide array of events to introduce Ikebana to a wider audience. This year, our focus is on the relevance of Ikebana in contemporary society.

Events include flower exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, Ikebana performances, an exquisite dinner show, an enlightening presentation on Ikebana's therapeutic benefits, the prestigious Ikebana Container Award, and an Ikebana-style wedding bouquet contest.

Join us as we celebrate Ikebana's timeless beauty and explore its modern significance.


Three Main Events Featuring International Guests

1. Ikebana Performance: Hanadayori Night

Embark on a sensory journey as we unveil the exquisite Hanadayori Collection perfume series crafted by Metascent, accompanied by a live Ikebana performance by Shoso Shimbo. Joining Shoso is the internationally acclaimed classical guitarist, Slava Grigoryan, adding a melodic touch to the immersive experience.

  • Event Name: "Ikebana Performance: Hanadayori Night"
  • Duration: September 7, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Venue: Melbourne Recital Centre
  • Website: Link


2. Hiroe Swen Ceramic Art Exhibition

We are very lucky to have internationally acclaimed ceramic artist Hiroe Swen, an Order of Australia recipient join us this year. Her solo exhibition will run alongside the Melbourne Ikebana Container Competition. Ms Swen will present the “Hiroe Swen Award" in person to the winner of the competition.

  • Event Name: "Hiroe Swen Ceramic Art Exhibition"
  • Duration: September 7 & 8, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Venue: Salon, Abbotsford Convent
  • Website: Link


3. Ikebana Dinner Show by Oshun Tsukagoshi  

Indulge in an unforgettable dining experience at Beleura House, a jewel among Melbourne's Historical Houses & Gardens, while witnessing the graceful artistry of guest artist from Japan, Oshun Tsukagoshi, the Headmaster of Ikebana Shofu as he brings elegant ikebana creations to life before your eyes.


  • Event Name: “Ikebana Dinner Show"
  • Duration: September 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Venue: Beleura House, Mornington
  • Website: Link


Other Events:

Ikebana Shofu Exhibition

Our free ikebana exhibition is the chief event of the festival. This year it will feature 20 artists representing the Shofu school of Ikebana, including Iemoto (head master of the school) Oshun Tsukagoshi from Japan.

Hana-Awase (Ikebana with Mozart)

Two teams of ikebana artists will compete in a Hana-Awase style performance to live music by the musicians of the renowned Orchestra 21.

Bridal Ikebana Bouquet Award 

Discover the beauty and elegance of the winning designs at this year's Bridal Ikebana Bouquet Award, where traditional Japanese floral artistry meets contemporary bridal fashion. Brides-to-be will be our judges.

Ikebana Demonstration

Under the theme of "Ikebana for restaurants and cafes", selected ikebana artists will take 6 minutes each to demonstrate their work.

Ikebana Container Award

This award calls for ceramic artists to create a container for Ikebana works, highlighting the importance of containers as a complement to the beauty of Ikebana floral arrangements. Hiroe Swen will select the winner. 


The Organiser

The organizer of the Melbourne Ikebana Festival is Tsubo Melbourne Pty Ltd.


Contact

Shoso Shimbo, CEO of Melbourne Ikebana Festival

Shoan Lo, Managing Director

Virginia Fong, Public Relations

wa.ikebana@gmail.com 

Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival

Website: https://www.ikebanafestival.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wa.ikebana

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wa.ikebana/


Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional press materials are available upon request.



Monday 29 April 2024


Saturday 23 March 2024


Tuesday 12 March 2024

Mother's Day Ikebana


11:00 - 12:30, Saturday 11 May 2024

Murrumbeena, Melbourne

$100 per person

Booking



Celebrate Mother’s Day with Ikebana!

Indulge in a 90-minute Ikebana flower-arranging class with your mother. Perfect for beginners, immerse yourself in this Japanese art of flower arrangement in Melbourne.

Led by experienced teacher Shoso, you'll receive a brief introduction to Ikebana and learn the basics to kickstart your Ikebana journey. Create your own small Ikebana arrangement to take home, along with newfound knowledge and skills.

Afterward, relish Japanese tea at Shoso’s stunning Japanese garden, as featured on ABC Gardening Australia.

Please note:

  • The studio is upstairs; inform us of any mobility concerns.
  • Notify us of any pet allergies.

Join us for a memorable Mother’s Day experience!

https://www.shoso.com.au 


Sunday 11 February 2024

Shoso Valentine's Day 2024


Beyond Design Principles 

Dr. Shoso Shimbo demonstrates the creation of a straightforward Valentine's Day flower arrangement, elucidating various design principles in ikebana. This tutorial caters to both beginners and advanced ikebana enthusiasts, providing an opportunity for all to learn and experiment with ikebana arrangements. https://www.shoso.com.au 

One-hour introductory workshop: https://bit.ly/ikebanaIntro 

Melbourne Ikebana Festival: https://www.ikebanafestival.com 

Ikebana Dojo - Online ikebana learning community. Open for anyone around the world. Web: http://bit.ly/IkebanaDojo