follow us on facebook
Highlights of Our First Forty Years
San Diego Chapter #119
of Ikebana International
Chartered, 1968
Motto: Friendship Through Flowers
Emblem: Cherry blossom spray
In 1968, several women who were intrigued by the beauty of ikebana formed our San Diego Chapter of Ikebana International. Two are still members: Sadako Oehler and Evelyn Sherman. The freely-shared knowledge and abilities of many teachers of ikebana and related arts have helped us grow, flourish and mature.
In our early days we created great interest in ikebana in San Diego with reports on TV and articles in the paper. The County Board of Supervisors, on September 8, 1969, declared September, 1969, Ikebana International Friendship Through Flowers Month, and San Diego’s 200th Anniversary Committee honored the Chapter with a certificate.
Until 1971 we met in the Floral Building in Balboa Park - now part of the House of International Relations - alternating days and evenings. On November 17, 1971, we were the first organization to meet in the new Casa del Prado after its opening November 14th.
We have had highly ranked ikebana teachers as members. These masters included: Helen Ard, Kofu; Akiko Bourland, Ohara; Chiyono Coirin, Shogyoku; Anne Connor, Shogetsudo Koryu; Haruko Crawford, Ichiyo; Kiyoko Honjo, Shigisan Shinka-Ryu; Rose Itano, Chikoh; Sumiko Lahey, Sogetsu; Sadako Oehler, Ikenobo; Rumi Rice, Sogetsu; Hiroko Szechinski, Sogetsu; Natsuko Tanaka, Ohara; Winette Waggoner, Saga Goryu; Kyoko Womer, Wafu Kai School. The tea ceremony was demonstrated beautifully by tea master Kaneko Bishop, Omote Senke. Masters of related arts included: Masako Bailey, silk painting; Chiyono Coirin and Michiko Delaney, kimono dressing; Yuki Easter, Sawai Koto School; and Kazuko Reynolds, sumi-e brush painting. All these and more gave delightful demonstrations and conducted workshops.
We sponsored demonstrations by headmasters and grandmasters of Ikenobo, Kofu, Enshu, Ichiyo, Chikoh, Ohara, and Saga schools. Delegates have been sent to regional conferences and world conventions. In 1988, under the leadership of Chairmen Joanne Meredith and Haruko Crawford and President Kay Yarnell, we produced the 11th North American Regional Conference with much work, much success and much pleasure.
Our members provided many arrangements for Art Alive at the San Diego Museum of Art for the first and each succeeding year. Many members have demonstrated for many organizations.
We donated flowering trees to Balboa Park and $10,000 to the Japanese Friendship Garden. We re-seeded an acre in the back country after a devastating fire. Our school program enthralled grade school children for 20 years.
We have enjoyed memorable cooking lessons; kimono dressing and style shows; Christmas parties and Salvation Army Children’s Choir; bus trips and martial arts demonstrations. We have learned about pottery and fabrics; sumi-e painting and kabuki costumes; bonsai and bankei; silk painting and origami; folk dances and wood block prints. We were taught how to wrap gifts, how to preserve weathered wood, and how to prepare for the Spring Flower Show.
Under the guidance of our successive boards and many volunteers we have prospered. Our Treasurers, Ways and Means Committees, Special Sales Committees, and Opportunity Drawings Committees have kept us financially sound.
It has been a productive, memorable, joy-filled 40 years, and although the future can not be known, our past assures us that our future will be filled with Friendship through Flowers.
San Diego Chapter #119
of Ikebana International
c/o San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation
Casa del Prado, Room 104
2125 Park Boulevard,
San Diego, CA 92101-4792
Contact: Cris Bugarin, 619-869-4622
San Diego Botanical Foundation: 619-234-8901
| San Deigo Chapter #119 Officers (2011-2012) | |
| President | Deborah Reiner |
| Vice President | Judy Cliffton |
| Recording Secretary | Mimsie Gaskin |
| Corresponding Secretary | Mary Krogh |
| Membership | Hiroko Fukuhara |
| Treasurer | Patricia Schneider |
| Programs | Rose Tyson |
| Workshop | Bob Hodges |
| Workshop Co-Chair | Dixie Dahl |
| Ways & Means | Valli Reed |