An almost 600-year-old Japanese tradition is bringing Monaco and Japan closer.
A tradition 555-years-old, Ikebana flower arrangement, is one of the representative aspects of Japanese traditional culture and was established by the Ikenobo. like a poem or painting made with flowers, Ikenobo’s ikebana expresses both the beauty of flowers and the beauty of longing in our own hearts. Ikenobo’s spirit has continued to spread around the world, with local chapters in major cities and the hosting of exhibitions both across Japan and abroad. Ikenobo hopes to draw the world’s people together through their art.
Honorary Consul of Iceland, Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo has continuously contributed to fostering international friendship, for example through a flower offering ceremony with wishes for world piece, which was conducted in 2013 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. To encourage cultural relations between Monaco and Japan, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations last year, the Headmaster Designate visited Monaco and presented the traditional cultural art of Japan “ikebana” floral arrangements through an ikebana demonstration.
On Sunday June 10, the Headmaster Designate performed an ikebana demonstration at the Salon Bellevue in Café de Paris from 16:30 to 18:00. This special demonstration was open and free to the Monaco public.
Ikebana arrangements by Mrs. Senko Ikenobo and Professor Yukei Miura of Ikenobo Central Training Institute, also displayed starting the traditional flower arrangement from June 10th in the lobby and entrance of Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo.
The ikebana styles have evolved over the centuries. Each age has brought new challenges for ikebana to express the spirit of the time. Today’s styles include rikka, shoka, and modern free style.