Spring Awakening

Friday, Februrary 21, 2014
Mitsuko Suiko Maruyama and Mitsuko Suiko Umemoto, Ohara

Mitsuko Maruyama and Mitsuko Umemoto

Born in Ohita, Japan, Mitsuko Suiko Maruyama came to the USA at age 15 and began studying Ohara ikebana with Ohara Grandmaster Suiyo Fujimoto in 1971.  She received her Teachers Certificate in July 1977 and in 2008 she was named First Term Master.

After a career in banking, during which she managed a bank, she retired and has devoted herself to ikebana since then.  Since 2000 she has served as President of the Ohara Ikebana School of Northern California Chapter.  She is a member of the Suiyo Flower Club, and the North American Ohara Teachers Association.

Mitsuko has participated both as a demonstrator and exhibitor in Ohara Flower Shows, I.I. Flower Shows, Cherry Blossom Festival exhibitions, museums and department stores.

She was President of I.I. San Francisco Bay Area Chapter from 2004-2006 and currently is 2^nd Vice President for Programs.  She was President of the Ikebana Teachers Federation from 2001-2003 and 2007-2009 and now holds the office of Treasurer.

Mitsuko Suiko Umemoto was born in Himeji-shi, Japan, and after moving to California began ikebana studies with Grandmaster Suiyo Fujimoto in 1976.  She received the Ohara Teachers Certificate in 2000 and the Second Term Master rank in 2012.

She completed the Retail Florist course at San Francisco City College and received her Retail Florist Certificate in 1988.

Mitsuko volunteers at the Kimichi Senior Center in San Francisco.  She is a member of the Suiyo Flower Club, the Ohara Ikebana School of Northern California Chapter, in which she served as Workshop Chair.  She is also a member of the North American Ohara Teachers Association, Ikebana International San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, and the Ikebana Teachers Federation.

Her ikebana has been demonstrated and exhibited at Ohara Flower Shows, I.I. Flower Shows, the Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Asian Art Museum.