Ikebana Newsletter Melbourne
January 2026
A Happy New Year
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1. Events Calendar
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1 December 2025: Application opens for Ikebana Aesthetics Program (1 year online course)
1 January 2026: 1000 Ikebana Challenge starts
4 January 2026: Ikebana workshops in Sorrento
17 January 2026: Ikebana Aesthetics Program (Zoom Ikebana Dojo) starts
24 January 2026: Ikebana Introductory Class
28 January 2026: Certificate courses start (Murrumbeena)
31 January 2026: Hanadayori Deadline
31 January 2026: Monthly Ikebana Challenge/1000 Ikebana Challenge
21 February 2026: Ikebana Introductory Class
14 March 2026: Ikebana Introductory Class
21 March 2026: Monthly Ikebana Challenge/1000 Ikebana Challenge
25-29 March 2026: Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
28 March 2028: Ikebana Workshop at Made in Japan
29-30 August 2026: Melbourne Ikebana Festival
29 August 2026: Ikebana Performance with Jessica Aszodi at Melbourne Recital Centre.
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2. Class Dates Term 1, 2026 - Certificate Courses
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$200 for 8 sessions.
Wednesday Class (1:00 - 2:30 pm)
28 January
4,11,18, 25 February
4,11,18 March
Wednesday Class (7:00 - 8:30 pm)
28 January
4,11,18, 25 February
4,11,18 March
Saturday Class (10:00 - 11:30 am)
31 January
7, 14, 21, 28 February
7, 14, 21 March
There may be some changes in our class dates. Please join our mailing list (see the top of this page).
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3. Ikebana Introductory Class
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One-hour all-inclusive ikebana workshop for beginners. Join with your friends or family. $60 p.p.
Venue: Murrumbeena or North Balwyn.
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4. Online Ikebana Lessons - Enrol Now
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- Monthly Ikebana Challenge: Join our facilitator monthly on Zoom for personalized feedback on your ikebana creations.
- Ikebana Aesthetics Program: Learn 4 Ikebana Principles and 4 Ikebana Elements in one year (24 sessions). New program starts in January 2026.
- 1000 Ikebana Challenge: Make an ikebana work a day for 1000 days. Conditions revised to truly deliver real, personal change.
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5. New Bank Account
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Account Name: Tsubo Melbourne Pty Ltd
BSB: 033070
Account number: 527917
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6. Ikebana in School
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Shoso and his associates started a project to promote Ikebana to Australian students. http://bit.ly/Ikebana-School
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7. Ikebana for your shop/office?
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Elevate your shop or office ambience with a touch of fresh ikebana! Shoso and his skilled team are ready to craft stunning floral arrangements tailored to your space. shososhimbo@gmail.com
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https://www.ikebanafestival.com/directory
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9. Hanadayori: Online Exhibition, Photo Book & Perfumes
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Latest Updates: https://www.ikebanafestival.com/hanadayori-2025/hanadayori-2025-updates-10-october-2025
Hanadayori is a signature online event of the Melbourne Ikebana Festival.
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10. Recent Publication
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2025a. (with K. Thode, A.Lo, S. Healey, B.Walker & C. While) The mindfulness potential of ikebana: A study on senior well-being. International Journal of Ikebana Studies, 12, 1-30. https://doi.org/10.57290/ikebana.12.0_1
2025b. Ikebana as the way of flowers (Translation). International Journal of Ikebana Studies, 12, 61-64. https://doi.org/10.57290/ikebana.12.0_61
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
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11. Shoso featured in the media
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ABC Radio: Shoso talked about Shinto on ABC Radio's Nightlife with Suzanne Hill on 28 September 2025.
ABC - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAvG2nOPu2A/?igsh=dzJuMndyOXZ6czY5
ABC Gardening Australia - https://www.shoso.com.au/2023/09/abcs-gardening-australia.html
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12. Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival
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Date: 29 & 30 August 2026
Dr Shoso Shimbo
0439 314 097
Murrumbeena Melbourne
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia
https://www.instagram.com/shoso_shimbo/