Shoso Shimbo: May 2024

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.

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.