This month Kuwako Biho Takahashi observed her 90th birthday and the chapter celebrated with her and honored her as our own "Treasure". Her stunning ikebana has delighted us for decades and she has taught dozens of students to create outstanding ikebana. Her school is Sogetsu and she began her studies in 1949 in Tokyo with the school's renowned founder, Sofu Teshigahara. He awarded her first teaching certificate in 1952. For many years she has held Sogetsu's most prestigious rank of Riji.

Born in Nagoya, Japan, she first came to California as a delegate to the America-Japan Student Conference at Stanford University in 1937. Years later she moved to Berkeley with her husband and daughter. In 1960, just four years after I.I. was formed in Japan, she worked with a few friends and established the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. For 25 years she has often served as a member of the board of directors, chaired flower shows, given demonstrations, served as Director of the Sogetsu Bay Area Branch, and organized many events for the chapter.

The art of ikebana was first brought to widespread attention in the Bay Area when the chapter presented its first flower show, "East Meets West" in 1962. Kuwako organized and chaired the show. Other civic events she organized include the "Cherry Tree Drive" which attracted hundreds of contributions and resulted in the donation of 1,000 flowering cherry trees to Golden Gate Park. Each spring the cloud of pink blossoms enchant visitors to the Park with a breathtaking display.

As popular teachers of ikebana, Kuwako and Ohara School's Suiyo Fujimoto also wanted to bolster communication among the various schools of ikebana in the Bay Area. They gathered teaching friends from other schools and formed the Ikebana Teachers Federation in 1973. This unique group produces an acclaimed flower show and demonstration program at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival and is attended by thousands of people.

At 90 years, Kuwako moves slightly slower, but not much. Her dynamic personality is alive and well and her talent and advice are constantly sought as she continues her active role in chapter activities.

Kuwako Biho Takahashi
Sogetsu School

Kuwako Biho Takahashi
Sogetsu School