Invitation to Ikenobo Ikebana - Introductory Classes in Boulder CO (June)

Sunday June 8, 2025. 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Location

Main Boulder LIbrary

1001 Arapahoe Avenue

Boulder, Colorado 80303

Boulder Creek Room, 1st floor.

Parking: FREE

Refund Policy

No refunds for cancellations or missed class due to the requirement for the teacher to purchase flower materials a week in advance of the class. Discount provided for next registered class - email instructor.

About this event

Class Description

These are introductory classes designed for the beginner or newer practitioner. Participants will start 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 50 years and encourages everyone from all walks of life to practice Ikebana. Jump in and start your learning anytime.

In these classes participants will learn the style called Shoka. There are over 10 different styles in Ikenobo all with different philosophies - Shoka is one of them. Shoka has a philosophy of arranging flowers as they grow – referred to as Shussho in Japanese. Participants will learn all about Japanese culture, traditional practices, and how to create spectacular Shoka arrangements. Refer to the pictures below. Please join us in celebrating this most auspicious practice.

Email instructor : [email protected]

Go to the website for more photos and info.

Class Logistics

Class sessions at the Main Boulder Library are approximately 3.5 hours long. Please be on time. There will be 15 minutes of set up and preparation. A lecture about the day’s arrangement will be presented. The teacher will then perform a demonstration. Following the demonstration, students will create an arrangement following the demonstration example and the instructor will critique the final work.

Additional Class Dates coming up: March 2; April 20 ; May 11, June 8 2025. Refer to additional class registration listing in Eventbrite at the bottom of the main page. Or go to www.ikebanaikenobokado.com . First come first served. Classes will be held each month in the Boulder Library System on Sundays. Check the listing.

Each class is different with different flowers and styles. Students are encouraged to sign up for as many classes as their personal availability allows. Ikebana is a lifelong pursuit in Japan and multiple classes are desired to learn the practice. Jump in anytime.

Equipment Needed

Ikebana students are required to have the following tools:

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

· Branch pruner and craft scissors.

· Good quality Brass long needle flower Kenzan (pin frog) is essential. Round is preferred, at least 3 to 4 inches or more in diameter. The bigger the better. Please Do not bring a small diameter short needle kenzan or plastic kenzan – those will not work for these lessons.

· Towel

· Water bucket to take flowers home in.

· Table cover or plastic sheet.

· Paper 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. Also do not purchase or bring a plastic kenzan - they do not work for this type of arrangement). Kenzan may also be available at the Sakura Square Grocery store Pacific Mercantile in Denver (availabiliy is spotty - I would call them).

• Wazakura Ikebana Kenzan Japanese Flower Holder, Made in Japan, Floral Arranging Pin Frog, Round - 3-1/4"(80mm) Brass
• Amazon.com: Wazakura Dense Ikebana Kenzan, Made in Japan 3-1/4" in 80mm, Brass Flower Holder for Thin Flowers Arrangement, No Foam Japanese Round Pin Frog Florist Tools : Arts, Crafts & Sewing
• Ikebana Scissors

Email instructor for help. [email protected]

Ikenobo Ikebana Container

For class, each student will need a funnel-shaped japanese style flower container pictured below (english style flower vases are not advised - It is very difficult to make the correct style japanese arrangement in a non-japanese style vase). One can be purchased online or sometimes found at local Goodwill stores. The funnel shaped japanese containers are typically round and about 8 to 12 inches wide at the top, about 8 to 11 inches tall and must have a flat top edge and very small several inch base.

See example pictures 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 five 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 or english/western container – those will not work for the lesson. You must have enough gravel to fill your container to the top.

If you are unsure about your container selection please email a picture to the instructor for comment and useability.

Email instructor : [email protected]

Flower Material

All floral materials for the specific class that day will be provided by the instructor. Once the lesson is 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.

More information about the school can be found at IKENOBO ORIGIN OF IKEBANA www.ikenobo.jp/english/

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!

Information and the history of the Official Colorado Chapter can be found at .

Organized and Sponsored by DBG

Host or Publisher Official Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America CO