January 17, 2020 – 60th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, September 19, 2014
THE HISTORY OF IKEBANA
FROM SEVEN SCHOOLS
Aratame: Irene Jenkins
Chiko: Keeth Souza-Courpet
Enshu: Rayko Kurosaki
Ikenobo: Chizuko Nakamura
Ohara: Minako Miyazaki
Sogetsu: Katsuko Thielke
Wafu: Fiona Li
IRENE JENKINS studies Aratama ikebana with Sumi Metz and brings her early training in Interior Design and interest in pottery to the art. Intrigued by the number of objects to be made from a lump of clay, she saw what types of vases were being used at ikebana shows she visited. She enrolled in ikebana classes in 1997. She has studied continuously since then and also serves on the board of Ikebana International. Irene loves gardening and enjoys growing the flower, making the vase, and creating the arrangement.
RAYKO ICHIREI KUROSAKI has studied the ancient ikebana art of Enshu for more than 25 years. She views ikebana as an expression of her love of plants and flowers. She holds Enshu’s teaching certificate from her former teacher, Sakae Sakaki, who now lives in Idaho. Rayko teaches Enshu classes twice a month at the El Cerrito Community Center. She has demonstrated for Ikebana International and displayed arrangements in several biennial Flower Shows. She coordinated the demonstration program by Enshu School’s Headmistress in May 2013.
FIONA LI began her Wafukai studies in 2003 with Nancy Locke, receiving a good foundation in the art, and now continues studies with Fusako Seiga Hoyrup. She received her teachers certification in 2012. In addition she studies Floristry at San Francisco City College with Sogetsu’s Soho Sakai and other lecturers. Fiona has served as Treasurer for the chapter and also as Hospitality Chair. She participates in the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival, Wafukai flower shows, and I.I.’s flower shows.
MINAKO HOEI MIYAZAKI began studying ikebana while in high school in Japan. She arrived n the USA in the mid ‘60s and has studied with Ohara Grandmaster Suiyo Fujimoto for more than 50 years. Minako holds Ohara School’s 1st Term Master’s Degree and teaches in Berkeley and Oakland. She is an active member of the Ohara School of Northern California, Ikebana Teachers Federation, and Suiyo Flower Club. She participates in the Cherry Blossom Festival, Bouquets to Art, and our chapter’s biennial Flower Show.
CHIZUKO NAKAMURA first studied Ikenobo ikebana with her mother in Japan. After coming here she studied with Mrs. Shumika Tada and for more than four decades pursued her studies and perfected her art. She holds one of Ikenobo’s highest diplomas – Sokatoku. Her work has been shown often for I.I., the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Asian Art Museum, and other venues. Chizuko teaches at her home and at the Church of Perfect Liberty in San Francisco. She is an active member of Northern California Chapter of Ikenobo Ikebana Society.
KEETH SOUZA-COURPET is a native San Franciscan who now lives in the South Bay. She began studying Chiko ikebana with Michiko Hosoda in 2007 and currently takes classes on the Aesthetics of Ikebana with Christina Schuknecht. Keeth is the chapter’s Historian. She received her B.S. degree in Nursing from USF. Currently she enjoys facilitating a cancer support group and also works with her church’s environment committee. Her newest and greatest joy is spending time with two grandchildren, both under one year of age.
KATSUKO BIKO THIELKE developed her strong love of flowers and nature as a child in Japan. She studied Sogetsu ikebana in Tokyo and earned her teaching certificate there in 1969. After moving to the USA she studied with Shoka Narimatsu and Shuko Kobayashi, earning the rank of Somu, 1st grade. Katsuko teaches at several locales in the South Bay and has taught at Filoli Gardens. She is an active member of I.I., the Sogetsu Bay Area and San Jose-South Bay Branches, and the Ikebana Teachers Federation. She demonstrates and exhibits frequently.
