We’ve wanted to host an “Ikebana” workshop at the farm since we took a class from our friend, Hiro, in Japan. Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. As with all traditional Japanese arts, Ikebana shares the themes of balance, harmony and clearing of the mind. For many people, Ikebana is a meditative practice. Akemi teaches and practices “Sogestsu” Ikebana, known for its greater freedom of individual expression.
This three-hour and 20 minute class will be taught by Akemi Sagawa, president of Five Senses Foundation and founder of I Love Ikebana, both based in Seattle.
As a native of Japan who is a former Seattle high-tech executive, Akemi has experienced first-hand how the balance, beauty and calmness of Ikebana counteracts the stress of our modern lives.
Come to Full Bloom Farm, inhale the fragrance of flowers and experience the beauty of this traditional Japanese art!
The class:
Learning and practicing Ikebana is a life-long endeavor. As a guidance to this long, joyous journey, Sogetsu provides you with 5 textbooks. The regular study of Sogetsu Ikebana is conducted by following these textbooks step by step.
This introductory workshop is designed to give you an opportunity to learn two basic styles of Sogetsu Ikebana, one called Moribana, using a flat container, and the other called Nageire, with a tall vase.
We will provide everything you need, including flowers, a pair of scissors and containers, for your convenience. At the end of the class you get to take home flowers as well as a Kenzan (pin frog), that you used, so that you can enjoy them at home.
Before heading home, Akemi will perform an abbreviated traditional tea ceremony including matcha and Japanese sweets.
About instructor Akemi Sagawa:
Akemi received her teaching certificate in 2000 and teaches Sogetsu Ikebana in the Seattle area. She has exhibited at various venues including Seattle Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, Northwest Flower and Garden Festival, and Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival. She is a member of Mercer Island Sogetsu Branch and is President of Ikebana International Seattle Chapter #19.
Akemi is a native of Osaka, Japan. She earned a law degree from Kyoto University and an MBA from Stanford. She has lived in the U.S. since 1994. Akemi founded I Love Ikebana and the Five Senses Foundation to share the universal value of traditional Japanese culture by making it relevant to today’s lifestyle. Akemi also sits on the boards of Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association, and the Japan-America Society of Washington State.
https://iloveikebana.com/
https://www.fivesensesfoundation.org/
The Setting
The workshop will take place in our newly renovated barn studio space, full of natural light and located right off the flower garden and farm stand. Take time before or after class to explore the farm, the beaches, forests, and wildlife that Lummi Island offers.
Before class we’ll serve our delicious farmhouse pastries, coffee, and tea to get you ready for a creative day ahead.
Plan Your Trip
July can be a busy time of the year on Lummi Island, so we encourage you to book overnight accommodations as soon as possible. We recommend staying on Lummi in one of the many vacation rentals offered. Take a look at Stay & Sea (20% discount code is FULLBLOOM), RecRetreats, Lummi Island Vacations, Airbnb or VRBO.
The ferry schedule and directions to the farm are found here for your reference