Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter

Grand Master Marcel Vrignaud performed a lavish demonstration of Ohara School Ikebana on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe in honour of the 30^th Anniversary of the Ohara School of Ikebana, Ottawa Chapter. A gala reception followed. You can see a gallery of photos from the demonstration here.

Mr. Vrignaud studied with Third Headmaster Houn Ohara in the mid-60s, and founded the France Chapter. He has been a Grand Master for over twenty years and received the Award of Honor from Ohara School. He also holds: the Kôrô Shô, a Japanese diploma of merit, the National Order of Merit for his promotion of ikebana in France and the Meiyo Ichijikin award of honour for his services in teaching and promoting ikebana in Europe.

Cliff Shinju Byrnes, his students, and Ohara School guests from Ottawa had a wonderful exhibition in Gananoque on Sunday, August 18, 2019. It was held at the Carveth Care Center and attended by appreciative visitors from Ottawa, Kingston and Gananoque as well as residents of Gananoque.

Derek Jusen Kitchen, with the assistance of other members including Patty McLaughlin, presented an impressive arrangement in prime viewing space at Nordstrom for Mothers’Day weekend, May 11-12. There was considerable interest in Ikebana expressed by shoppers, and promotional materials were taken. A few new students have attended lessons, following up on the teacher information provided on our Chapter postcards. We look forward to a fall presentation at Nordstrom and interested members should contact Marie-Eve Coupal who will be co-ordinating efforts. This a great learning opportunity, and excellent publicity for the Chapter. Thanks to all!

We have been given a wonderful opportunity to exhibit from time to time at Nordstrom in the Rideau Centre. Marie-Eve Fuki Coupal and Wendy Juka Batson set up arrangements on Friday, February 1 and displayed them for several days in a very visible, open area. The exhibits were very well received and we plan to do more in the future. If you would like to take part, please contact Marie-Eve.

Thanks to all who made the Exhibition such a success, and appreciation to Peter and Lindsay McKercher for managing the photography. You can see the gallery by clicking here or going to the Galleries on the menu and selecting Discover Ikebana Exhibition 2018.

An Introductory Ikebana workshop by the Ohara School of Ikebana will be held on Saturday, October 20 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the McNabb Community Centre, 180 Percy Street, Ottawa. Second Term Master Marie-Eve Fuki Coupal will instruct. For more information consult her at Laurence_place@hotmail.com  Don’t miss this opportunity! Get your ticket now ($25) at Eventbrite

His Excellency Ambassador Ishikane opened the “Discover Ikebana” Exhibition at the Embassy of Japan on Saturday, October 13. Ambassador Ishikane and Mrs. Ishikane enjoyed the exhibition with the guidance of Exhibition Chair Marie-Eve Fuki Coupal and exhibitors including Sub-Grand Master Mitsugi Shinran Kikuchi. Nearly 600 guests attended and for the first time were able to try out ikebana at a “discovery table.” The exhibits were stunning, with three large driftwood arrangements prominent on the stage, backed with sumptuous gold screens. A gallery of exhibits will be forthcoming.

Our Exhibition “Discover Ikebana” is coming up fast! The inspiration for this title is the desire of the Exhibition Chair and board members to introduce ikebana as an art and a practice to visitors. Visitors will be introduced to the process of making an arrangement with the hope that some may follow up with the introductory workshop or classes with a teacher. An introductory workshop will be held at the McNabb Centre the following Saturday, October 20, at 2:30. 

As usual Cliff Byrnes and his students, with exhibitors from the Ottawa Chapter, put on a very attractive and imaginative exhibition at the Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque. With most exhibitors taking advantage of seasonal wild and garden flowers and foliage and even herbs and vegetables, visitors were intrigued with the variety of arrangements and the art of the exhibitors.

An inspiring, original, and really enjoyable workshop was held at Christ Church Hall, Gananoque, on Saturday, June 9, 2018 with Cliff Shinju Byrnes instructing. Hosted by Cliff and his students, Sandra Olney gave a brief introduction on the Zen of ikebana based on her own practice and the classic book, Zen in the Art of Flower Arrangement by Gustie Herrigal. She emphasized that because you and I as well as branches and flowers are the essence of existence, and not separate from the rest of the universe, in doing ikebana we try to do things that increase our awareness of being ‘one with’ the ‘doing’ and the flowers. We were encouraged to ‘lose ourselves.’

Cliff making adjustments

In the first workshop students worked on a Free Style form roughly based on Rising Form or Inclining Form using their favourite vase, and placed emphasis on the vase and the sculptural quality of the plant material. Cliff provided a vast array of over 30 very interesting materials to choose from.

Free Style

For the second workshop students created a One Row arrangement using three vases that they brought. They used peonies as the main flower material for this workshop. Results were stunning, and working in three containers was challenging and provided an excellent learning opportunity.

One Row in Three Containers