FAQ: 1000 Ikebana Challenge
Q: Can I pay for 1 year?
A: No. Book & pay for each session individually. Join whenever convenient; no long-term commitment is necessary.
Q: Can I receive a certificate for participating in this program?
A: Yes. Contact us individually when you reached the targets: Hana Gyoja Grade 1 (336 days/works), Hana Gyoja Grade 2 (672 days/works), Hana Gyoja Grade 3 (1000 days/works).
Please attach a record of your achievement, if you are not posting your woks on the 1000 Ikebana Challenge Facebook page.
Our certificate will not be issued if you don’t attend at least 4 sessions a year.
The title and certificate of Hana Ajari will be issued for those who completed our 1000 ikebana challenge and other requirements.
A: No. Book & pay for each session individually. Join whenever convenient; no long-term commitment is necessary.
Q: Can I receive a certificate for participating in this program?
A: Yes. Contact us individually when you reached the targets: Hana Gyoja Grade 1 (336 days/works), Hana Gyoja Grade 2 (672 days/works), Hana Gyoja Grade 3 (1000 days/works).
Please attach a record of your achievement, if you are not posting your woks on the 1000 Ikebana Challenge Facebook page.
Our certificate will not be issued if you don’t attend at least 4 sessions a year.
The title and certificate of Hana Ajari will be issued for those who completed our 1000 ikebana challenge and other requirements.
Q: I have already paid annual fee. How can I use my credit to attend the sessions under the new system?
A: If you paid your annual fee in July 2023, you can attend two more sessions by July 2024, effective from April 1, 2024.
Choose the session you want to join from the sessions in April, May, June & July.
Send us an email and request a link to join the session at least 7 days before the session you want to join (don’t use our booking system). Please note we don’t send you a link if you don’t request. ikebana.dojo@gmail.com
After August 2024, book and join each session individually.
Alternatively, you may attend our sessions in April and May, for instance, and move to our new system early.
Q: Can I receive a refund or credit if I miss the session?
Choose the session you want to join from the sessions in April, May, June & July.
Send us an email and request a link to join the session at least 7 days before the session you want to join (don’t use our booking system). Please note we don’t send you a link if you don’t request. ikebana.dojo@gmail.com
After August 2024, book and join each session individually.
Alternatively, you may attend our sessions in April and May, for instance, and move to our new system early.
Q: Can I receive a refund or credit if I miss the session?
A: No. However, if you request cancellation 48 hours before the session, you can reschedule.
Q: Can I include ikebana work I do with my teacher?
Q: Can I include ikebana work I do with my teacher?
A: Yes. You can include any ikebana work you make. You can continue your regular ikebana class, while joining this program. We welcome all ikebana schools.
Q: Can I join the Zoom Session even if I have not reached the target number of works?
A: Yes. But you had better make extra works to catch up your target soon. We don’t allow the program to be extended more than 3 years (See the next Q&A).
Q: I could not make 1008 works to complete the program in 3 years. Can I pay extra and extend my program?
A: No. You have to start again from zero.
Q: Is “Hana Gyoja” a qualification?
A: It is a title rather than a qualification. You can use it while you are working under the program.
Generally we obtain qualifications such as Bachelor of Art, Master of Fine Art etc. from tech schools or universities, and titles such as director, manager, shihan etc. from business organisations or private cultural institutions including most ikebana schools. We usually lose our titles when we leave the organisation. However, we usually will not lose our qualifications and we are not required to pay any extra fee to keep it.
Q: Can I make more than 1 work a day to reach my target?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I make more ikebana works than the target number?
A: Yes. You may try to reach 1095 works (365 X 3) or more in 3 years.
Q: Can you use unconventional materials if flowers are not available to you each day?
A: Yes.
Q: I made ten ikebana works for my client in a day. They are all the same design. Can I count as ten ikebana works?
A: It’s up to you, but we usually think it is one work.
Q: What do I learn in this program?
A: We hope that you will learn the importance of regular & continuous practice. Our goal is not to teach special techniques or design tips (there are many courses that focus on those topics in ikebana). If you are looking for an ikebana course that may change your life, join us. See also the next Q&A.
Q: Can I join 1000 Ikebana Challenge while doing Ikebana Aesthetics Program?
A: Yes. That may be a good option for some. 1000 Ikebana Challenge is to support your self training. We encourage you to practice ikebana regularly, but we don't teach much in the program. On the other hand, Ikebana Aesthetic Program intends to teach the basics of ikebana systematically and concisely, and how to meditate with flower materials. Our two programs are different but compatible. You may start the two programs together for greater results.
Q: Do I have to use Hana Gyoja logo for my social media?
A: No. It’s up to you. But indicating that you are in this difficult journey (one of the most difficult ikebana courses in the world) shows your dedication to ikebana to public, which will help you commit and complete the program.
Also that would help increase recognition of this program, and recognition of your achievement once you complete it. Please post your works to Ikebana Gallery Facebook page as well.
Q: What are the requirements for my first session?
A: Your first sessions in 1000 Ikebana Challenge will run just like our sessions in Ikebana Aesthetic Program.
(1) Do your assignment. Make your ikebana work before the session.
(2) Take a photo of your work (less than 0.5 Meg.) and send to ikebana.dojo@gmail.com at least 48 hours before the session starts if you want detailed feedback. Send only one photo of your latest work.
(3) Join the session. We will give some feedback based on the photo you sent. If the session starts from noon, our schedule is as follow.
11:55 AM Australia/Melbourne: Please join the session, and check your connection etc.
12:00 PM Australia/Melbourne: Let’s start session together.
12:30 PM Australia/Melbourne: Session closes
(4) Enjoy "show and tell" by other participants before and after your own presentation. Group interaction is helpful for your learning. Works by others can inspire you.
(5) Rework based on the advice from our facilitators.
(6) Share a photo of your revised work to https://www.facebook.com/1000IkebanaChallenge and Ikebana Gallery Facebook Page. See how to apply for Ikebana Gallery Award if you are a student.
Q: For future Zoom sessions, how does reworking the arrangements work with so many arrangements? Do you only show the 84th arrangement over Zoom or do you share all the arrangements you've done over the quarter?
A: Send only one image of your latest work. We will review it on our Zoom session.
Q: What kind of ikebana work should I make?
A: Any ikebana work you can think of. When you are very busy, you may make a tiny work using a flower and a leaf. It is highly recommended to make at least one work a day, and not to spend a day without touching flowers.
You can review and pick a topic from Ikebana Aesthetics Program (Zoom Ikebana Dojo). See also next Q&A.
Q: I could not attend the Zoom session. What can I do?
A: Just send the image of your latest work within a week. We will be able to give you some feedback on the work. If you missed two consecutive sessions without any notice/submission, we will remove you from our program.
Q: I have no idea about what kind of ikebana to make everyday.
A: Just relax and enjoy yourself until you find your own way to continue and make doing ikebana your daily routine. Here are some suggestions to help guide your practice:
1. This may be an option for many advanced students. Prepare materials. Meditate on them and make an arrangement simply to make your flowers joyous. Note that the design emerges from your materials rather than from your thinking. If you try to manipulate materials to impose your designs on them, there is division between flowers and you. Probably that is not the way of flower. Meditate to go beyond the division between subject (me) and object (flower). You soon will find that making ikebana is a joy, or a peaceful meditation. You will become able to make flower arrangements every day just like some people offer daily prayers.
2. If the above option does not work for you at the moment, just repeat the basic styles at least 100 times. It is interesting to find that many people dislike basic styles, in particular outside Japan. Ikebana Aesthetic Program Level 2 in Zoom Ikebana Dojo focuses on basic styles, and Level 2 is almost always unpopular with fewer enrolments. Making basic styles is very beneficial for your development as an ikebana artist. You can learn most of the essential ikebana principles. Making effective or perfect ikebana basic styles seems to be quite challenging for ikebana teachers outside Japan. Some move on to making “unique”, “individual”, “creative” ikebana works too quickly, and their works are sometimes not poetic. It seems that a lack of mastery of the basic styles of ikebana is related to a lack of poetry.
3. Follow and repeat Ikebana Aesthetics Program which has 24 topics.
4. Observe and analyse masters' works carefully. We can learn so many things from this exercise. Apply what you learn from your observation to your own creation. Don’t just copy designs. Superficial imitation is a waste of your time. What you have to look for are essence of poetry or things like more abstract principles, or simple colour coordination. We have access to many excellent works by masters on social media. The Ikebana Gallery facebook page is an excellent resource for this exercise.
Q: Can I join the Zoom Session even if I have not reached the target number of works?
A: Yes. But you had better make extra works to catch up your target soon. We don’t allow the program to be extended more than 3 years (See the next Q&A).
Q: I could not make 1008 works to complete the program in 3 years. Can I pay extra and extend my program?
A: No. You have to start again from zero.
Q: Is “Hana Gyoja” a qualification?
A: It is a title rather than a qualification. You can use it while you are working under the program.
Generally we obtain qualifications such as Bachelor of Art, Master of Fine Art etc. from tech schools or universities, and titles such as director, manager, shihan etc. from business organisations or private cultural institutions including most ikebana schools. We usually lose our titles when we leave the organisation. However, we usually will not lose our qualifications and we are not required to pay any extra fee to keep it.
Q: Can I make more than 1 work a day to reach my target?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I make more ikebana works than the target number?
A: Yes. You may try to reach 1095 works (365 X 3) or more in 3 years.
Q: Can you use unconventional materials if flowers are not available to you each day?
A: Yes.
Q: I made ten ikebana works for my client in a day. They are all the same design. Can I count as ten ikebana works?
A: It’s up to you, but we usually think it is one work.
Q: What do I learn in this program?
A: We hope that you will learn the importance of regular & continuous practice. Our goal is not to teach special techniques or design tips (there are many courses that focus on those topics in ikebana). If you are looking for an ikebana course that may change your life, join us. See also the next Q&A.
Q: Can I join 1000 Ikebana Challenge while doing Ikebana Aesthetics Program?
A: Yes. That may be a good option for some. 1000 Ikebana Challenge is to support your self training. We encourage you to practice ikebana regularly, but we don't teach much in the program. On the other hand, Ikebana Aesthetic Program intends to teach the basics of ikebana systematically and concisely, and how to meditate with flower materials. Our two programs are different but compatible. You may start the two programs together for greater results.
Q: Do I have to use Hana Gyoja logo for my social media?
A: No. It’s up to you. But indicating that you are in this difficult journey (one of the most difficult ikebana courses in the world) shows your dedication to ikebana to public, which will help you commit and complete the program.
Also that would help increase recognition of this program, and recognition of your achievement once you complete it. Please post your works to Ikebana Gallery Facebook page as well.
Q: What are the requirements for my first session?
A: Your first sessions in 1000 Ikebana Challenge will run just like our sessions in Ikebana Aesthetic Program.
(1) Do your assignment. Make your ikebana work before the session.
(2) Take a photo of your work (less than 0.5 Meg.) and send to ikebana.dojo@gmail.com at least 48 hours before the session starts if you want detailed feedback. Send only one photo of your latest work.
(3) Join the session. We will give some feedback based on the photo you sent. If the session starts from noon, our schedule is as follow.
11:55 AM Australia/Melbourne: Please join the session, and check your connection etc.
12:00 PM Australia/Melbourne: Let’s start session together.
12:30 PM Australia/Melbourne: Session closes
(4) Enjoy "show and tell" by other participants before and after your own presentation. Group interaction is helpful for your learning. Works by others can inspire you.
(5) Rework based on the advice from our facilitators.
(6) Share a photo of your revised work to https://www.facebook.com/1000IkebanaChallenge and Ikebana Gallery Facebook Page. See how to apply for Ikebana Gallery Award if you are a student.
Q: For future Zoom sessions, how does reworking the arrangements work with so many arrangements? Do you only show the 84th arrangement over Zoom or do you share all the arrangements you've done over the quarter?
A: Send only one image of your latest work. We will review it on our Zoom session.
Q: What kind of ikebana work should I make?
A: Any ikebana work you can think of. When you are very busy, you may make a tiny work using a flower and a leaf. It is highly recommended to make at least one work a day, and not to spend a day without touching flowers.
You can review and pick a topic from Ikebana Aesthetics Program (Zoom Ikebana Dojo). See also next Q&A.
Q: I could not attend the Zoom session. What can I do?
A: Just send the image of your latest work within a week. We will be able to give you some feedback on the work. If you missed two consecutive sessions without any notice/submission, we will remove you from our program.
Q: I have no idea about what kind of ikebana to make everyday.
A: Just relax and enjoy yourself until you find your own way to continue and make doing ikebana your daily routine. Here are some suggestions to help guide your practice:
1. This may be an option for many advanced students. Prepare materials. Meditate on them and make an arrangement simply to make your flowers joyous. Note that the design emerges from your materials rather than from your thinking. If you try to manipulate materials to impose your designs on them, there is division between flowers and you. Probably that is not the way of flower. Meditate to go beyond the division between subject (me) and object (flower). You soon will find that making ikebana is a joy, or a peaceful meditation. You will become able to make flower arrangements every day just like some people offer daily prayers.
2. If the above option does not work for you at the moment, just repeat the basic styles at least 100 times. It is interesting to find that many people dislike basic styles, in particular outside Japan. Ikebana Aesthetic Program Level 2 in Zoom Ikebana Dojo focuses on basic styles, and Level 2 is almost always unpopular with fewer enrolments. Making basic styles is very beneficial for your development as an ikebana artist. You can learn most of the essential ikebana principles. Making effective or perfect ikebana basic styles seems to be quite challenging for ikebana teachers outside Japan. Some move on to making “unique”, “individual”, “creative” ikebana works too quickly, and their works are sometimes not poetic. It seems that a lack of mastery of the basic styles of ikebana is related to a lack of poetry.
3. Follow and repeat Ikebana Aesthetics Program which has 24 topics.
4. Observe and analyse masters' works carefully. We can learn so many things from this exercise. Apply what you learn from your observation to your own creation. Don’t just copy designs. Superficial imitation is a waste of your time. What you have to look for are essence of poetry or things like more abstract principles, or simple colour coordination. We have access to many excellent works by masters on social media. The Ikebana Gallery facebook page is an excellent resource for this exercise.
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