Ikebana
International
Our Teachers and San Diego Ikebana Schools
We are proud to introduce our Ikebana teachers. Are you interested in a little history? You can read how each school was established in our chapter.
Please be Advised
Ikebana classes are not offered by Ikebana International. Our Certified Instructors are members that provide classes in various locations in and around San Diego.
Thank you.
Ikenobo by Ellen Sakagawa (Photo)
Our Teachers
Find a teacher in your nearby area and contact them by email which is shown below their photo.
Continue scrolling to see some of their class schedules.
If you need help, kindly email us at: sandiegoikebana@gmail.com
Our Ikebana Schools
Learn how these Ikebana schools were established in our Chapter
Ichiyo by Sensei Deborah Warriner
Ichiyo School of Ikebana San Diego
The Ichiyo School's presence in San Diego started in 1969 when Haruko Crawford moved to the area and began teaching classes, first in her Spring Valley home, and eventually in Balboa Park. She was appointed Founding Director of the San Diego Branch of the Ichiyo School in 1976 by Ichiyo School Co-founder and Headmaster (Iemoto) Meikof Kasuya. In January 1983 the Branch was promoted to a Chapter and Mrs. Crawford was installed as President by then Headmaster Akihiro Kasuya. She was awarded the highest overseas rank of Executive Master in 1998. Deborah Warriner succeeded as Chapter President in 2009. She retired in 2017, but remains active in the Ichiyo School as a member-at-large and a member of the San Diego Ikebana International Chapter.
Contact:
Deborah Warriner
Email: ichiyo.sd@gmail.comWebsite: https://ichiyo-ikebana-warriner.mystrikingly.com/
Deborah gives Demonstrations & Workshops
Kindly check her website for updates.
Ikenobo by Sachiko Kohatsu
Ikenobo School of Ikebana San Diego
The history of the Ikenobo Chapter of San Diego is intricately tied to the life of Professor Sadako Oehler. Ikenobo Ikebana would not have flourished in San Diego without her presence in this city. In 1958, Professor Oehler graduated from the Ikenobo University Teaching Institute in Tokyo, Japan. The following year, she moved to San Diego. Soon thereafter, in 1960, she started teaching classes and was the first Ikebana teacher in San Diego. She was instrumental in the founding of the Ikebana International San Diego Chapter #119 in 1968 and also the Ikenobo Chapter of San Diego in 1976. She was elected President of the Ikenobo Chapter at that time and has had a continuous reign as President until 2023. Mrs. Oehler left the position of President of the Ikenobo Chapter to
Ms. Sachiko Kohatsu.
Mrs. Oehler was an Honorary Advisor to the chapter up until her
passing in November 2023
Ikenobo San Diego Chapter Website:
http://www.ikenoboikebanasandiego.org
Contact:
San Diego Ikenobo Chapter President: Sachiko Kohatsu
vanatsu1@cox.net* * * * *
Sachiko Kohatsu
Fukusokatoku Senior Professor Degree
vanatsu1@cox.net
Sachiko's classes are held in Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, Room 101
on the second Thursday of the month
and send email for private classes at her home in La Mesa.
******
Ellen Miyashiro Sakagawa
Sokatoku Senior Professor Degree
For class information please email: ikebana.doc@gmail.com
Visit Ellen's website: https://ikenobo-ellen-miyashiro-sakagawa.mystrikingly.com
Ohara by Sensei Akiko Bourland
Ohara School of Ikebana of San Diego
The Ohara School of Ikebana San Diego started with Akiko Bourland who moved to San Diego from Yokohama, Japan in 1970 and founded the San Diego Ohara Chapter in 1973 until 2010. Then in 2018, she founded the San Diego Wabi Ohara Chapter. She was appointed as its President by Third Headmaster Houn Ohara and given the honorary title of Grand Master in 1996. Mrs. Bourland has taught and demonstrated in many venues since her arrival in the United States and continues to this day. For her service to Ikebana International, she was elected by the Board of Directors Tokyo, to be a lifetime member.
San Diego Wabi Chapter of the Ohara School
President: Carole Scott: cscott@sdsu.edu
Founder-Advisor: Akiko Bourland: wsbourland@att.netWebsite: https://ikebana-sd-wabi.mystrikingly.com
San Diego Union-Tribune article on Mrs. Bourland on August 15, 2021
Teaching Schedules
Akiko Bourland
Grand Master
Advanced Study
By invitation only for instructor or above-level
Email Address: wsbourland@att.net
Second Wednesday of Month
Fall 2025
9:30 am - 1 pm
at Room 101 - Casa del Prado, Balboa Park
* * * * *
Mitsuko Takeya
1st Master
Fall 2025 Classes start August 28
Email Address: mtakeya@sdccd.edu
San Diego Community College
Continuing Education
CRN 16039 Mondays 1-4 PM (online)
CRN 16066 Tuesdays 12-3 PM (hybrid)
CRN 16067 Thursdays 9 AM - 12 PM (hybrid)
https://sdcce.edu/emeritus
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
* * * * *
Huimei (Vernna) Lai
2nd Associate Master
Email Address: vernna_lai@hotmail.com
hlai@sdccd.edu
Website: https://ikebana-huimei-vernna-lai.mystrikingly.com/
Fall 2025 Classes start August 28
San Diego Community College
CRN 15982 Tuesdays 12-4 PM
CE Mesa, Room-119
7350 Armstrong Pl, San Diego, CA 92111
CRN 15983 Wednesdays 9:30-1:30 PM (Hyflex)
Miramar College
10440 Black Mountain Rd.
CRN 15984 Thursdays 9:00-1:00PM
CE Miramar, Room-115
10440 Black Mountain Rd.
San Diego, CA 92126
CRN 15985 Thursdays 1-5 PM
CE Miramar, Room-115
10440 Black Mountain Rd.
San Diego, CA 92126
https://sdcce.edu/emeritus
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
* * * * *
Nakaba Emtesali
2nd Associate Master
Email Address: nakabaemtesali@gmail.com
http://www.ikebanaflowerarts.com
https://www.instagram.com/ikebanaflowerartsInstagram & Facebook: @ikebanaflowerarts
***
Ohara by Jackie Zhang
San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School
San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School (SDSCOS) The San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School (SDSCOS) originated from the Sakura Ikebana Group founded by Jackie Zhang and her students in 2011. It was honored to be given the new name of Sakura Ikebana Group of the Ohara School (SIGOS) by Headmistress Wakako Ohara in 2012. In 2017, SIGOS was elevated by Fifth Headmaster Hiroki Ohara to an official Ohara School Study Group.
One year later, the Fifth Headmaster promoted the group to a new chapter, the San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School, and appointed Jackie Zhang as its Founding President. In the eleven years since its inception, SDSCOS has developed into an energetic, harmonious, and active chapter, which is highly regarded in the community. Its stated mission is to share, create, and promote Ikebana art and friendship. Under the leadership of its board and the Ohara School Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, SDSCOS envisions a bright future.
San Diego Sakura Chapter of the Ohara School
President: Tracy Guo: tracyyguo@gmail.com
Vice-President: Rose Tyson: ratyson45@gmail.com
Contact Person: Jackie Zhang: jzhana@hotmail.com
Website: https://www.sakuralj.com
Email: ikebana.sakura.lj@gmail.com
Jackie Zhang
1st Master Ohara School
Schedule of Ikebana Classes & Events in 2025
Please visit:
https://www.sakuralj.com
Ikebana Exhibitions and Workshops
(both are in the Community & Seminar Room
of the La Jolla Library)
Special Workshops will be announced in advance
Registration for the class is required at least three days in advance
Please contact JACKIE ZHANG: 858-337-5671 or jzhana@hotmail.com
Classes & Events are held at
La Jolla Library
7555 Draper Ave. La Jolla, CA 92037
Tel: 858-552-1657
Sogetsu by Sensei Yumi Rakers
Sogetsu School of Ikebana San Diego
The Sogetsu San Diego Branch had its beginning when Mrs. Sumiko Lahey started her class in 1969 and held her first flower arrangement exhibition in 1978. In 1985 she was authorized by headquarters to form a Study Group and celebrated the occasion with an exhibition. In 1990, the Sogetsu San Diego Branch was established and in the autumn of that year, Mrs. Lahey was appointed as its First Founding Director. In 1996, Mrs. Barbara E. Church succeeded Mrs. Lahey as Director and in the year 2000, Mr. Ronald Searfoss succeeded Mrs. Church. Mrs. Hiroko Szechinski was elected Director in 2001 and celebrated with an exhibition at that time. As of 2020, Mrs. Yumi Rakers is the Director.
Sogetsu San Diego Branch
Yumi Rakers, Director: yusorake@cox.net
https://www.sogetsu.space/
* * * * *
Yumi Rakers, Jonin Somu Degree
yusorake@cox.net***All classes are in-person***
Beginners: 1st and 3rd Tuesday every month | 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
Intermediate/ Advanced: 2nd & 4th Tuesday every month | 9:30 AM-11:00 AM
at the
Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in Balboa Park
Please contact programs@niwa.org or call (619) 232-2721for more details
***
Every Saturday 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. at
San Diego Music and Art Co:
9682 Via Excelencia #104, SD CA 92126
Contact Mat at
sdmaac@gmail.com (858) 774-6923 for more details
***All classes are in-person***
*****
Donna West, Komon Degree
Classes are being held in Private home in Encinitas
Last Saturday of the month 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Please contact for details:
(303) 875-3499
dwest317@gmail.comOr
Philip Truitt
philiptruitt@cox.net
(619) 851-3147
* * * * *
Marina Khudobina, Jonin Sanyo Degree,
loveforartbyMarina@gmail.com
https://love4artsandiego.com/
The second week of every month on
Thursday and Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
in Poway.
* * * * *
Sogetsu Shoka kai:
Yumi Rakers
yusorake@cox.net
* * * * *
I.I. Virtual Teacher List
Do you need an online Teacher?
Please click on the logo to read more about these schools from their Headquarters in Japan
Ichiyo School of Ikebana
Ikenobo School of Ikebana
Ohara School of Ikebana
Sogetsu School of Ikebana
