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Sogetsu Workshop Led by Miyako Arao

February 15, 2026

Gyokusen Miyako Arao

Miyako Gyokusen Arao, holds Sogetsu ikebana school, the highest rank of “Riji.” She began studying under Gyosushun Takeichi in 1987 and started teaching in Santa Ana and Irvine in Orange County in 2004. She has served as Director of the Sogetsu LA Branch and as President of the Ikebana Teachers Association of Southern California. She is involved in many large events such as the LA Branch’s 25th Anniversary, Sogetsu North America Seminar, and an Ikebana Live Show. In 2017, she received the “Overseas Award” from Sogetsu Japan Headquarters.

Since 2023, she has been more involved and enjoying Events with her students under the LA Branch.

Workshop Details:

The Sogetsu curriculum includes a theme called “Relief.” Relief is translated as “bas-relief,” and it is an expression that possesses characteristics of both painting and sculpture. This theme is intended to broaden your range of ideas, so let’s approach it freely and without restrain.

Sogetsu Workshop Led by Haruko Takeichi

June 8, 2025

Haruko Takeichi was born in Japan. Sensei moved to the United States in 1968. She began her study of Sogetsu Ikebana in 1980 with Shunyo Okinaka. Upon receiving her teaching qualifications in 1989, she began teaching in Santa Ana, Irvine, Torrance, and Los Angeles. She holds the Sogetsu highest rank of “Riji” and has received the Special Overseas Award from Sogetsu Headquarters. During the Sogetsu School’s 90th Anniversary Celebration in 2017, she received the Special Award for “Eiyo Sho “ from Iemoto Akane Tashigahara for her long dedication and contribution to Japanese Cultural Art in Southern California.

Haruko sensei is an interior designer with a Bachelor of Interior Design from Woodbury University. She has worked as an interior designer for banks, offices, restaurants and retail stores. In addition to teaching, she installs weekly ikebana arrangements in a hotel in Malibu.

Sensei is an active member of Ikebana International L. A. Chapter, Sogetsu Los Angeles Branch, and President of the Ikebana Teachers Association of Southern California.

For more information and examples of Haruko sensei’s beautiful and creative ikebana, here is her website: www.Haruko-ikebana.com and

Instagram: harukotakeichi

In the workshop, Sensei will demonstrate and guide attendees to create a basket design with an arrangement. The following are some examples.