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Exhibit Preparations

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Finally, the day of the exhibit is almost upon us.  It's this coming Saturday, May 12th.

For the past few months, pottery artist Mindy Moore has been working hard to produce new pieces.

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​Photo courtesy of Marvin Moore. (http://marvinmoore.com/)

Has she perhaps been sleeping between the potter's wheel and the kiln?  (^_^)

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​The past two weeks, Miyako has been feverishly designing ikebana arrangements.  The garage has been taken over...

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...and the studio is lined with mock-ups.  She will dismantle all of these and re-create them at the gallery.

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Please join us and see how Mindy's pottery and Miyako's ikebana breathe life into each other.  See the connection!

Exhibit Title: En: Connections
Opening reception: May 12th, Saturday, 2-4 p.m.
Venue: Argyle Fine Art, 1559 Barrington St., Halifax NS
http://argylefineart.blogspot.ca/
Everyone welcome.  No entrance fee.

Exhibit days: 
May 13th, Sunday, 12-5 p.m.
May 14th, Monday, gallery closed
May 15th, Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
May 16th, Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

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(Photos by the ikebana shop except when noted otherwise.  All rights reserved.)

Sushi And Ikebana

Added on by the ikebana shop.

fter watching the movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi, we got to thinking how similar ikebana is to sushi.

The film was subtitled in English but two important words were not translated but kept in the Japanese original: umami and shokunin.

Umami has almost become a loanword (just like "sushi"!) incorporated in the English language.  It normally refers to the "savoriness" of food.  The different tastes and aromas of the ingredients are carefully combined then presented to provide a superb culinary experience.  We learn the paradox: the simpler the food, the more difficult it is to prepare!  What can be more simple, more minimalist than simply putting uncooked fish on rice?  Yet we realize, it is not that easy.  The fish needs to be sliced just so; the rice needs to be steamed with the correct pressure; the temperatures of rice and fish when the sushi is served should be just right, etc.   

Ikebana is also very simple...a few branches, a few flowers.  Every one of them has its place in the arrangement.  Nothing more, nothing less.  We often use the analogy of a choir vs a duet.  In a big singing group, if one person sings off-key, he can actually stay "hidden" and perhaps lip-sync.  The performance is not affected all that much.  In a duet, if one person sings out of tune, then the whole performance is ruined.  In a huge bouquet of flowers, an errant bloom could be hiding somewhere in the back but still the arrangement would be OK.  In ikebana, a single misplaced stem will be fatal.  Jiro's style of sushi is similar...it is just sushi set on a plain black lacquer plate.  No fancy decorations, no distractions...only umami.  When we view a good ikebana arrangement, like putting one of Jiro's sushi in our mouths, we experience a kind of umami.

​(Photo by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

​(Photo by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)

Loosely translated, the word shokunin means "craftsman".  But the film did not use the English word.  To grasp the Japanese sense of the word, we must think of the craftsman of medieval times, when one traversed long years from apprentice to journeyman to finally, master craftsman.  One's craft was one's life.  A shokunin practices his craft, day in day out.  Yet it is not a mere repetition of motions, not mass production.  Be it a sheet of washi (Japanese paper), a  samurai sword or a bamboo basket, every piece contains a part of theshokunin's spirit.  Every time the shokunin creates something, he is always thinking of how he can make it better.  He is forever perfecting his craft.  So it is with Jiro.  After more than 70 years of making sushi, he still thinks there is room for improvement.  He was once told that sushi was a very old cuisine and whatever could be improved had already been done.  He disagrees and continues to work on his "craft" and even dreams about it (thus, the title of the film!)  There is no shortcut to becoming a shokunin.  It is not a matter of taking the required courses and getting the diploma.  The skill and instinct cannot be put down in a textbook.  They are honed only by never-ending practice.

In ikebana, you may be doing the basic variations over and over again.  It could look like you are doing the same thing, but really each one is different.  No two branches will ever be identical, just as no two seasons will be the same.  Every arrangement is a new encounter, a new challenge.  Anyone can follow the rules and arrange the branches in the proper lengths and angles...in the same way as anyone can cook rice and put a slice of fish on top...but the person with shokunin spirit sees beyond this.  Always the question is how I can entice all the beauty out of what I have in front of me.  The ikebana master will have conversations with the flowers.  She gently coaxes the plants to show her their best faces, their preferred angles.  This cannot be learned from reading the textbook...the only way is through practice, perseverance and proper guidance from someone who has been on the same journey. 

One last word: Do not watch this film on an empty stomach! (^_^)

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI is a quiet yet enthralling documentary that chronicles the life of Jiro Ono, the most famous sushi chef in Tokyo. For most of his 85 years, Jiro has been perfecting the art of making sushi.

Jiro Dreams Of Sushi.  Directed by David Gelb.  Magnolia Pictures, 2011.

Special Offer to Members Of Ikebana International Ottawa

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Dear Members of Ikebana International Ottawa, if you are planning to make a mail order purchase from our shop, please make sure to tell us that you are an I.I. Ottawa member to avail of our special shipping discounts (offered until end of April, 2012). Pool your orders and save more!

Special offer to members of Ikebana International Ottawa: 
1. Any mail order purchase by members of merchandise with total value (before HST) less than $200, we offer to cover 50% of shipping cost. 
2. Any mail order purchase by members of merchandise with total value (before HST) of $200 or more, we offer free shipping.

Other conditions: 
a. Shipping will be via Canada Post (shipping method will be at our discretion) 
b. Shipping destinations will be limited to Ontario and Quebec. 
c. Orders must mention membership of Ikebana International Ottawa before payment processing. 
d. Members are free to pool their orders to avail of free shipping as long as shipping destination is only to one location. 
e. This offer is not limited to ikebana supplies but includes all other merchandise at the shop. We do reserve the right to refuse sales of certain items which we deem too fragile to ship.

Offer ends on Apr 30th, 2012.

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Exhibition--Ikebana: Melody | Canadian Museum Of Nature

Added on by the ikebana shop.

Ikebana Exhibition: Melody​
April 19-22, 2012
Canadian Museum Of Nature
240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1A1 
tel (613) 566-4800
toll-free in Canada and U.S.A. 1 (800)  263-4433 

The ancient art of Japanese floral design comes alive in this annual display of 50 unique and beautiful arrangements.  This exhibition, organized by the Ottawa chapter of Ikebana International, showcases the styles of the Ohara and Sogetsu schools.  See demonstrations by Ikebana artists in the gallery on Saturday and Sunday.

​the ikebana shop is happy to be one of the sponsors for the 2012 ikebana exhibit Melody by the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter No. 120. If you are in Ottawa next month, please be sure to visit!

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Congratulations St. Mary's University!

Added on by the ikebana shop.

On March 10th, 2012, the 14th Annual Atlantic Canada Japanese Language Speech Contest was held at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  Seventeen students from the St. Mary's University Japanese Language Programme participated in all the category levels.

Out of the nine major awards in the four different categories, St. Mary's won eight of them (including all the top prizes)! 

Two students from the university have been selected to represent the Atlantic region at the National Japanese Speech contest, which will be held in Vancouver on March 31st, 2012.

What a great accomplishment!  Congratulations to you all and good luck to the two students who are on their way to the Nationals!  Gambatte kudasai!

"The students’ speeches were creative, passionate and artistic.  They raised important problems and introduced new places. Some were  like paintings with words. It was a very long day but everyone enjoyed themselves.  Many commented on how polite, thoughtful and supportive of each other our students were. I am happy to see how culture becomes part of their training and every day life."  Dr. Alexandre Avdulov, Programme Coordinator

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Photo courtesy of Dr. Alexandre Avdulov.

Our Mini Tabis Bring Good Luck!

Added on by the ikebana shop.

A little gift to those who like our tabi socks: mini Xmas tabis with good luck charm inside!  (「福」means "good luck"). All hand-made!  With a purchase of 2 pairs or more of tabi socks, you get our little gift.   

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Good while supply lasts!)

(Photo by the ikebana shop.  All rights reserved.)