Ikebana Demonstration

"I will continue to focus my heart on each single blossom in the hope for peace in the world."—Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo

20 years ago, the Illinois Prairie Ikenobo Society was founded in partnership with Japan House on the campus of the University of Illinois. Cultural understanding and the embrace of tranquility is encouraged through the teaching and study of the intricate floral arranging practice of ikebana. Also known as the flower way (kadō), ikebana developed alongside the tea ceremony (chadō) with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the sixth century. Upon this 20th-anniversary year of the Society, Krannert Center is pleased to welcome Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo for an demonstration. Senko Ikenobo is the 46th generation of the esteemed Ikenobo family, synonymous with the origin of ikebana in Japan. She is designated to be the first female Headmaster of the Ikenobo Ikebana School of Floral Art in its more than 550 years of recorded history and serves as Vice Head Priest of Shiunzan Chohoji (Rokkakudo) temple in Kyoto, Japan. Using nature’s palette, Senko Ikenobo’s ikebana embodies past tradition, being present in the moment, and the vision of a brilliant future.

Join us for a related event in celebration: the Ikebana Exhibition in the Foellinger Great Hall Foyer October 20-22. There will be an Ikebana Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, October 22, at 4:30pm.

This performance will last approximately two hours with no intermission.