By Steven Sharp and Gail Sharp
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Ikebana
translated into word is "Live Beauty." Live Beauty means beauty of life which is transient. Because it is transient, it changes incessantly and that is the most precious factor of Ikebana. Conclusively, Ikebana is an art of combining natural changes into formative art. |
Imagine a flower, a leaf, a stem in a setting more beautiful than its natural environment. To create a living sculpture that transcends the beauty of nature is the goal of the Ikebana artist. The art of Ikebana has two basic objectives. The first objective is to bring out the beauty and individuality of the flowers. The second objective is to convey the artists' feelings and thoughts, just like a painting or poem.
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An example of Ikebana many Center members have seen is the Sho-chiku-bai, a traditional arrangement of bamboo, pine and plum blossom, displayed at the VJCC New Year celebration. It is one of the works of Mrs. Yoshiko Shunrei Uyeno and Mrs. Mary Shuntoo Nishikawa. At the Center, we are fortunate to have two Ikebana classes. The two classes share a common history -- Sensei for both was the late Mrs. Eunice Shunyo Kodama. Kodama Sensei was a student of the Sogetsu School and ultimately established her own Shunyo School. With the inception of the Senior Programs, Kodama Sensei was approached to teach a class -- the Wednesday class -- at the Community Center. Kodama Sensei also taught students in her home for many years -- this is where the Friday class started. Since her passing, her students with teaching accreditation have taken on the responsibility of |
On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, students arrive
between 9:30 and 11:15 AM, depending on their daytime schedules.
Mrs. Yoshiko Shunrei Uyeno and Mrs. Mary Shuntoo Nishikawa share
their knowledge with class members ranging from novice to accredited
Ikebana artists. A series of kakei (patterns) is taught
to new students. After learning these lessons, they can go on to
create freestyle arrangements of their own design in either the moribana (shallow vase) or nageire (tall vase)
styles.
On the first Friday of the month, class begins at 6:00 PM under the guidance of Mrs. Aya Shunryo Fujikawa and Mrs. Cheryl Shunso (Ito) Kitahata. (Making a point that Ikebana is for all ages, Cheryl was nine-years-old when she began classes under Kodama Sensei!) One aspect of Ikebana design embraced by the class is the freedom to incorporate |
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Both the Wednesday and Friday classes will be exhibiting their work at the annual VJCC Festival. If you want to learn more about Ikebana or just enjoy the beauty of the arrangements, visit their exhibits in the classroom section of the Center and observe their demonstrations on the stage. If you would like to observe or inquire about the classes, contact their representatives by e-mailing the webmaster. |
by Steven Sharp
Jolyene
Hirota |
Jolyene Hirota and Trisha Ariyasu are two young people involved with the VJCC. Jolyene is a senior and Trisha is a junior at Venice High School. Jolyene is a member of the Venice Judo Club, has played VYC basketball on Lady Flight, and assists her father coaching Thunder. Trisha plays VYC basketball for Lightning. For the last two years, both have been coaching the girl's VYC Sure Shot team, the Angels.
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Trisha Ariyasu |
