About Ikebana Dojo Special Program

日本からのご参加歓迎いたします。日本語案内　

The Ikebana Dojo Special Program is separate from, and different to our Ikebana Aesthetics Program which follows a curriculum designed to develop specific skills and knowledge.

For the Special Program, the facilitator will choose any topic they believe will be challenging for our participants. A sample will be given, but participants are free to interpret it in their own way and are encouraged to create an original work inspired by the sample. Both programs though, have the same goal: learn to express yourself with poetry. Ikebana can be self expression but it should be self expression with poetry.

We may have special guest facilitators for the Special Program. On 25 August 2020 we will welcome Mr Katayama, internationally renowned Ikebana Master in Sogetsu School as a special guest. Application is open to anyone except beginners of Ikebana. Click for details.

Special Program - 15 Aug 2020

Topic: Using more than 5 materials

When: 4:00 - 4:30 PM, 15 August 2020 (Melbourne Time) Check your local time.

Facilitators: Shoso Shimbo & Shoan Lo

Who can join: Anyone, regardless of ikebana school, stage of learning (except beginners) or country of residence. You must have basic knowledge and skills of ikebana. Also you must be familiar with Zoom. Sessions will be conducted in English.

How many: Up to 6 persons

How much: Aus $10. Pay by bank transfer (within Australia) or credit card or Paypal.

Task: Use more than 5 materials and create your original work inspired by the sample (above). If you are following our Ikebana Aesthetics Program, please refer to Balance, Movement and Contrast among the four Ikebana principles.

How to apply & participate:

1. Send an application form by 11 August 2020.

2. If your application is successful, you will receive an email by 12 August with instruction on how to pay.

3. Upon receipt of your payment, we will send you an email of invitation to the session.

4. Do your task (see above).

5. Make your ikebana work before the session. Take a photo of your work (less than 0.5 Meg.) and send to ikebana.dojo@gmail.com at least 24 hours before the session starts if you want detailed feedback.

6. Alternatively, you can share the photo of your work during the session. Find a way to share your file using Zoom.

7. Join the session. Prepare your work and its photo.

Each person has about four minutes for show and tell, and feedback from our facilitator and other students. Our facilitator will make comments on your photo. You may adjust your work after your show and tell.

Some helpful advice for your Ikebana Dojo experience:
a. Your self introduction should be brief. If you talk too much, you will not give much time for your facilitator to give you advice.

b. You may prepare One Specific Question about your work. You may want to receive as much advice as possible from your facilitator, but remember you are sharing this opportunity with others. Your time is limited. If you really work hard, you will come up with a question that you really want to ask. “Is this branch too long?” “Did I use too much red flower?” - these are good examples and will help your study. You can include such a question when you send us a photo of your work.

8. Enjoy show and tell by other students before and after your own presentation. Group interaction is helpful for your learning. Works by others can inspire you.

9. Share a photo of your work to Ikebana Gallery Facebook Page. See how to apply for the 2021 Ikebana Gallery Award if you are a student.

10. If you would like to join Zoom Ikebana Dojo again, please visit our pages on Ikebana Aesthetics Program or Special Program.