Ikenobo Ikebana - Special Traditional Denka and Shimputai Workshop Denver

Welcome to a Special Summer Traditional Denka and Shimputai Ikenobo Ikebana event! Join us in person at the Eloise May Library (Arapahoe Libraries) Denver for a delightful experience exploring the art of Japanese flower arranging. Learn the traditional techniques of Ikenobo Ikebana and create your own stunning floral masterpieces (two for a full day workshop). This event is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Ikebana!

Date and time

Friday, August 15 , 2025. 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

REGISTRATION CLOSSES AUGUST 9,2025

Location

arapahoelibraries.org

1471 S Parker Rd, Denver, CO 80231, (303) 542-7279

Parking: Free all day at the library.

Refund Policy

No refunds for cancellations or missed class due to the requirement for the teacher to purchase flower materials in advance of the class.

About this event

Class Description

These are classes designed for the beginner as well as experienced practitioners. Participants will continue their path of learning the Japanese Traditional Practice of Ikenobo Ikebana. Ikenobo is the oldest school of Ikebana in Japan starting in 587 AD and is the largest Ikebana School with 4.5 million members worldwide. The Ikenobo School has had a chapter in Colorado for over 55 years and encourages everyone from all walks of life to practice Ikebana. Refer to event flyer below for more info.

Instructor email: [email protected] or call 303-264-4287

Go to the website for more photos and info.

Class Logistics

Class sessions at the Eloise May Arapahoe Library are all day long. Two class sessions are presented: One morning session and one afternoon session. There is a break for lunch. Please be on time. There will be 20 minutes of set up and preparation before the workshop starts. Lectures about the day’s arrangements will be presented. The teacher will then perform a demonstration for the morning and afternoon sessions. Following the demonstrations, students will create arrangements following the demonstration examples and the instructor will critique the final works. Students will be provided with floral materials to make two arrangements for the day long workshop.

Additional Class Dates coming up: Go to ikebanaikenobokado.com for upcoming class announcements. Ikenobo presents monthly workshops at the Arapahoe library system. Specific dates to be announced based on Arapahoe Library room availability. Classes are also available in Boulder and Colorado Springs. Each class is different and progressive. Students are encouraged to sign up for as many sequential classes as their personal availability allows. Ikebana is a lifelong pursuit in Japan and multiple classes are desired to learn the practice.

Materials Needed

Ikebana students are required to have the following tools:

· Good quality scissors – a Japanese Ikenobo Hasami (scissors) is suggested.

· Branch pruner.

· Good quality Brass long needle flower Kenzan (pin frog) is essential. Round is preferred, at least 4 inches or more in diameter. The bigger the better. Do not bring a small diameter short needle kenzan – it will not work. Also do not purchase a plastic Kenzan pin frog - those will not work for this workshop.

· Towel

· Water bucket to take flowers home in.

· Table cover or plastic sheet.

· Bag for plant clippings.

· Enough Medium angular gravel (1/4 inch) to fill your container to the top.

· Funnel-shaped ceramic container (see below).

· Water pitcher

If would like to purchase tools the suggested Amazon links are attached (It is not recommended that you buy an inexpensive non-brass short needle kenzan that is often seen on internet sites for cheap prices. They typically break easily. And do not purchase plastic kenzan at Michaels - they are not for this kind of Ikebana).

• Ikebana Scissors
• Japanese 4-1/8"D Round Ikebana Kenzan Brass Needle Flower Pin Frog Made in Japan | eBay
• Japanese 4"D x 1.375"H HEAVY Ikebana Kenzan LONG NEEDLE Pin Frog Made in Japan | eBay

Ikenobo Ikebana Container

For class, each student will need a funnel-shaped flower container pictured below. One can be purchased online or sometimes found at local Goodwill stores.

Refer to picture of container example below.

If you do not have or cannot find a funnel-shaped container, one may be borrowed from the instructor. There are a limited number available and you must reserve one at least three days prior to the class session – please contact the instructor. All borrowed containers must be returned at the end of the class session. No exceptions. Please do not bring any kind of food container or cylindrical container – those will not work for the lesson. You must have enough gravel to fill your container to the top.

Need Help :

Instructor Email: [email protected]

Flower Material

All floral materials for each specific class session that day will be provided by the instructor. Once the lessons are completed, you will be able to bring your materials home with you.

Ikenobo School of Ikebana

The history of Ikenobo is the history of ikebana. Ikebana began with Ikenobo and although over 550 years many other schools have branched off from Ikenobo, Ikenobo is said to be the origin of ikebana. Ikenobo’ s history encompasses both the traditional and the modern, the two continually interacting to encourage new development in today’s ikebana.People in every era have loved flowers, but our predecessors in ikebana felt that flowers were not only beautiful but that they could reflect the passing of time and the feelings in their own hearts. When we sense plant’s unspoken words and silent movements we intensify our impressions through form, a form which becomes ikebana.We arrange plants cut and removed from nature so that they are filled with new beauty when placed in a new environment. Rather than simply re-create the shape a plant had in nature, we create with branches, leaves, and flowers a new form which holds our impression of a plant’s beauty as well as the mark of our own spirit. Ikebana should also suggest the forces of nature with which plants live in harmony - branches bent by winter winds ... a leaf half-eaten by insects.

Ikenobo considers not only an open flower but also a flower’s bud beautiful, for within the bud is the energy of life’s opening toward the future. Past, present, future ... in each moment plants, and humans, respond to an ever-changing environment. Together with plants, humans are vital parts of nature and our arranging ikebana expresses this awareness.

Instructor Dan Agnese. – Un no’ Soden Don Hana Kaze

Dan has been a member of Ikenobo for over 30 years and currently holds the highest allowable title bestowed upon him by the Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo in 2021. There are only four individuals in the United States who hold this high-ranking title. In addition, the Japanese Government has bestowed upon Dan the designation of “important cultural activity” for his efforts and outreach in Ikenobo in the US. No other US individual currently holds this honor. Dan is also President of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America Colorado Chapter and is fluent in Japanese culture and practices; and teaches in clear concise English. You will enjoy all the camaraderie in the class, interesting stories, and anecdotes. The classes are designed to be an enjoyable experience where all participants working together as a community for a common goal of learning Ikenobo. Come join the fun!

Organized by

Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America

Colorado Chapter

Host or Publisher Official Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America CO