November Workshop

Ikebana International Los Angeles Chapter 4 President, Fukuyo Tanaka will be leading the November Workshop on Sunday, November 21, 2021. We will be making an Ikenobo Ikebana arrangement in the Shoka-style (smaller ikebana arrangement for the home) using chrysanthemum flowers and other seasonal plants. Read more about Fukuyo below>>

Theme: Shoka - Ikenobo Ikebana
Instructor: Fukuyo Tanaka
Date: Sunday, November 21, 2021
Location: Palm Room at the Los Angeles Arboretum - 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Time: Pre-meeting social time will begin at 9:30am with coffee, tea and light refreshments; the meeting/workshop starts at 10:00 am.
To attend, complete and submit this registration form by Wednesday, November 17, 2021 >>
Please register for this workshop by completing this form and returning it to Michiyo Nakamura with your registration fee. As always, you are welcome to bring a friend to any of our workshops at the non-member registration fee.

Download & Mail the November Workshop Registration Form

Fees

Members $25
Non-Members $35

Workshop Supplies & Materials

Vase/vessel/Container: Bring your own – flat shape
Kenzan: Bring your own – medium to large size
Flower Scissors: Bring your own
Materials: Will be provided

Membership Badges Required

We previously distributed I. I. membership cards and badge holders to all members. Please remember that you have to wear your badge when you come to the Arboretum for any Chapter event or you may be charged an entrance fee. We kindly ask that you follow the Arboretum’s COVID protocol rules – all members/guests must be fully vaccinated, wear a mask at all times while on Arboretum grounds, and wear an Ikebana International ID badge.

About Fukuyo Tanaka

Fukuyo was born in Japan and grew up in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture. She first encountered ikebana as a junior high school student and fell in love with Ikenobo's Rikka arrangement which began as an offering to Buddha and signifies the magnificence of nature. After graduating from high school, Fukuyo went to an art college in Tokyo. Whenever she created a good piece of work or saw great artworks in galleries, she would be transported back to the feeling she had when she first encountered Ikebana.

In 1978, Fukuyo moved to the United States and ran a successful small business with her husband in Long Beach, California. They had four children and when her eldest son started attending the Norwalk Kendo Dojo in 1992, she registered in an Ikenobo Ikebana classroom in the same community center.

Fukuyo’s teacher Reiho Matsumoto patiently taught her all the Ikenobo styles. She was especially happy to finally start learning Rikka after 7 years learning the basics of Shoka and free style flower arrangement. Each person has their own approach to ikebana, and Fukuyo finds joy in the entire process. On arrangement day, she makes the early morning drive to the Los Angeles Flower District to find flowers that catch her eye. Then at home, she chooses a vase from her collection that suits the flowers. Before beginning, she decides on the final shape and creates the arrangement until she is satisfied with the result.

For the past 29 years, Fukuyo has enjoyed ikebana with many teachers and friends she’s made along the way. Currently, she ranks 16 out of 18 Ikenobo levels. In 2007, Fukuyo became a member of the Ikenobo Ikebana Professors organization. She was a board member for the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Los Angeles for eleven years. This is her third year sitting on the Ikebana International LA Board and her first year as President. In addition to volunteering for various groups, she spreads her love for Ikebana and raises awareness by teaching beginners.

From 2013 to 2018, Fukuyo was one of the program facilitators at the Japanese American Community Cultural Center in Little Tokyo where she’s had the great fortune of introducing Ikenobo to many Angelenos and directing them to local instructors. What began as an introductory class became so popular that there is now an official Ikenobo Ikebana classroom at the Center.

For the past seven summers, Fukuyo has volunteered at the Southeast Japanese School and Community Center summer program. Camp Hanabi introduces ikebana to 5-10 year old students who have fun spending an afternoon together making a small flower arrangement to take home.

In 2014, Fukuyo joined Ikebana International LA Chapter and remains a member because she really enjoys learning about the other schools of ikebana through the various workshops and exhibitions. Fukuyo thinks this organization opened her eyes to different ways of flower arranging. As a member, she values the camaraderie and friendship formed through flowers.