Hanadayori 2021

花信:今、世界が求める花がここに

日本語案内

Our online exhibition, Hanadayori: Ikebana by Request has been launched.

Here is a list of ikebana artists and the requests selected for them. Thank you for sending us your requests. Unfortunately we were not able to accept all of the requests, but we hope that everyone will enjoy this exhibition with us.

Thank you to all the ikebana artists who volunteered to join this exciting project. In particular Melbourne Ikebana Festival is so grateful to our guest exhibitors, Mr Ken Katayama, Mr Oshun Tsukagoshi, Mr Kazuya Yatagai and Ms Yumi Yamane. Contributions from the international ikebana masters have helped to make this online exhibition a truly international ikebana event.

Hanadayori is a unique ikebana exhibition which directly connects ikebana artists with a wide audience. It aims to introduce two way interaction, from the audience to artists and from artists to the audience. This approach makes it possible for ikebana artists to find out what people really want from ikebana. It is a challenging but rewarding experience to create artworks based on requests from strangers. 

This project not only connects ikebana artists with people all over the world, but in a world where the pandemic is causing so much suffering, these small connections though flowers might help to bring some joy and healing.

We hope that this exhibition will help show the true power of ikebana to the wider community.     

Shoan Lo & Shoso Shimbo                   

Curators, Hanadayori 2021

Melbourne Ikebana Festival


To Katayama, Ken (Sogetsu School: Fukuoka) From Madhu (India)
I would like to propose a theme for an arrangement - rememberance . I lost my mother in the recent Covid wave in India , therefore, proposing this title. Thank you. I am an Ikebana artist myself, been studying and practising it for about 16 years. From the Sogetsu school. I am a certified teacher but currently don’t teach. I am also a porcelain artist and teacher. Both my mother and I live(d) in New Delhi , India. My mother was a career woman and was Ambassador of India for nearly 20 years. She was a role model for many career women, and ahead of her time. A caring, courageous, charming and warm person. I hope this information helps the artist , I can hardly wait to see the creation. Thank you once again.
追憶というテーマをリクエストします。実は最近のコロナで母を亡くしました。私は草月流を16年ほど勉強しています。師範は持っていますが、現在教えてはいません。ポーセリン作家で教師です。私の母はキャリア・レディーで約20年間インドの大使を務めました。多くのキャリア・レディーの模範でしたし、彼女の時代の先駆けでした。優しくて、勇気があり、魅力的であたたかい人柄でした。生花作品ができるのが待ち切れないほど楽しみにしております。この機会に感謝します。

From Mr Katayama
遅くなりました。写真を送信します。
お母さまが空の上から見守っているイメージにいたしました。
宜しくお願い致します。

To Tsukagoshi, Oshun (Ikebana Shofu: Takasaki)From Marianne (France)
Hello! I would like to see a table arrangement inspired by "Be surprised by a table arrangement". I really love to see something different and fun concerning this topic. Thank you. I do ikebana for not so long and I always love to organize dinners. Well in France we love to get together during dinner and a not too classic and different table arrangement could bring a plus to the meal. I don' t have any particular event in mind for this arrangement but a joyful arrangement and different arrangement could be nice after this hectic period of time, don't you think? Looking forward to see all the creations.
「驚きのテーブルアレンジメント」をリクエストします。少し変わった、そして楽しい作品を期待します。私は少しだけですが生花を勉強しています。私は知り合いを夕食に招くのが大好きです。フランスでは集まって夕食をとるのが皆大好きです。あまり古典的でなく、一味変わったアレンジメントは夕食を一層楽しいものにしてくれるでしょう。この大変な時期の後では、楽しい、ちょっと奇抜なアレンジメントが素敵だとは思いませんか?作品楽しみにしています。

From Mr Tsukagoshi
難しいテーマでしたが、良い刺激になり楽しくいけることが出来ました。リクエストいただいた方に喜んでいただけたら嬉しいです。

To Yatagai, Kazuya (Ikenobo: Tokyo) 
From Parthena (Australia) 
I would like to see an arrangement using gold. I have seen an ikebana work using the long gold strands and I really liked it. I like burgundy as well. Gold is a lush colour....:) I live in Melbourne and we have had lock downs again so it would be nice to have something rich and lush! Thank you.
金色を使った作品をリクエストします。以前、長い金色の撚り糸を使った生花作品をみたことがありますが、とても気に入りました。バーゲンディーも好きです。金色は豪華な色ですね。私はメルボルンに住んでいますが、またもロックダウンです。ですから少し豪華で華美な作品が見てみたくなります。よろしくお願いします。

To Yamane, Yumi (Shinsei School: Tokyo)From Mischa (Australia)
I would like to request an Ikebana for my family. I think having some flowers in the house will make them feel better especially after this year. Although COVID might have been the worse for people, it was only one of the things that have affected my family's life. Before COVID struck my grandfather died from cancer, and when it was ending I lost my 13 year old puppy to an unknown problem. My family hasn't been as cheerful as they were and I think an Ikebana will help show the life in the world.
私の家族のための花をリクエストします。特にこのひどい1年の後では、私たちのうちに花があったなら私たちの気持ちを和ませてくれうだろうと思うのです。コロナのせいでもっと苦労されている人たちもあることでしょうが、私たちの家族にとってコロナは災厄のひとつでしかありませんでした。コロナのやってくる前、祖母をがんでなくし、コロナが終息しかかっている頃、13歳になる犬を亡くしました。私の家族は、以前のような快活さを取り戻せずにいます。生花は生きる力に気づかせてくれるのではないかと思います。

From Ms Yamane
For Mischa

To Ballesteros, Miyako (Sogetsu: Canada)From Hyderabad (India)
I am a second master from the Ohara School of Ikebana . Request you for an Ikebana with 4 colours please 🙏🏼 Thank you.

To Block, Ping (Sogetsu: Australia)From Christine (Australia)
An ikebana arrangement using Australian native flora. A request for my eco-feminist community, Sophia's Spring who admire the beauty of  local indigenous plants.

From Ping
At the request of Sophia’s Spring (an eco-feminist community), it was my great pleasure to showcase Australian native flora. In my arrangement, I have used Banksia ericifolia, burnt banksia, Banksia coccinea, Pandorea vine and Leptospermum scoparium (Tea tree), all available right now, and two vases both made by local Canberra artist, Jacqueline Lewis.

To Budich, Anna (Sogetsu: Philippines)From Ina (Romania)
Ikebana for healing and prosperity for all people. I just started learning ikebana and I love it very much. Thank you 🙏

To Cottee, Sandra (Sogetsu: Australia)From Kelvin (Australia)
I’d like to see how Ikebana can be applied to the lobby of a grand & modern apartment building. Thank you very much!

From Sandra
A large arrangement using local bangalow palm and native macadamia nut. The flowers have a beautiful scent. I hope this would look stunning in a modern apartment building foyer.

To Croci, Pamela (Sogetsu: Australia)From Gwen (Canada)
I would like to see an arrangement consisting of red, yellow and pink flowers in a centrepiece as a tribute to my mother who loved these colours. My heart feels joy when I see flowers of these colours now.  

From Pamela
I have created this table centrepiece inspired by Gwens mothers' choice of flower colour and two unusual candlesticks by potter Rosemary Rayner. The coral reef inspired ikebana brings to mind climate change and our endangered oceans everywhere. Thank you Gwen, I hope it brings a warm smile and is a worthy tribute your mother there in Canada.

To Evans, Alexander (Sogetsu: Australia)From Nguyet
I request Ikebana for my small handmade ceramic shop. Thank you.

From Alexander
The brief for this work was to cerate something suitable for a small handmade ceramic shop. As such, I wanted to create a medium sized arrangement that highlighted and complimented a unique container that I had in my collection. This container was also handmade by a local ceramic artist. I used the intensely coloured Singapore Orchid to echo the blues in the container and a simple white gerbera for the white of the porcelain. The Corrokea creates an interesting network of lines that again echo some of the lines in the container as well as providing a strong contrast in texture. I hope you find the arrangement pleasing.

To Gupta, Vibha (Sogetsu: India)From Sunny
I’d love to see an Ikebana arrangement as a gift for a couple, the husband is currently going through cancer treatment, spending most of the days resting at home. The couple has just downsized to a small apartment.

To James, Christopher (Sogetsu: Australia)From  Andrea (Australia)
i want an ikebana based on an anime character named gojo satoru from jujutsu kaisen. i want the ikebana to have the colours of black, blue and white. i want an ikebana based on this character as i really enjoy the anime and would want to see it.

To Karanikolopoulos, Emily (Sogetsu: Australia)From Bon
I would like to see an ikebana crossover with calligraphy, would be nice to see how 2D & 3D art forms colabrate together.

From Emily
My brief was to 'cross over ikebana with calligraphy'. I chose a Vietnamese calligraphy in deference to my Vietnamese daughter-in-law and her family. I'm told that the meaning of the symbol is 'Mum'. I kept the colours of my arrangement subdued, almost monochromatic and in my design I wanted to capture the movement and mood of the Calligraphy. I did not want to duplicate it.

To Kondo, Kayoko (Sogetsu: Japan)From Sara (Ecuador)
I would like to see an ikebana showing simplicity. I would like to learn how you can create beauty with the minimum elements.
単純化された生花をリクエストします。最小の要素でどのように美しさを作り出すのか、拝見したいです。

From Kayoko
Here is my ikebana showing simplicity, with only two materials, a banana leaf and an ornithogalum. We are in the middle of summer now. The banana leaf comes from my garden and I cut it before dawn so that it retains enough water in the leaf. I want to show the beauty of its clothlike texture. I hope you feel cool by seeing this ikebana.

To Korol Latorre, Iryna (Ichiyo School: USA)From Nina (Australia)
I would like to see ikebana inspired by fighting illness. My mother passed away from cancer last year. I cared for her as she fought very hard. Her favourite colours were blue and pink and she loved flowers, arrangement, plants, and gardening. It would be interesting to see ikebana commemorating those who win the battle and those who unfortunately lose.

From Iryna
The lives of many people who are battling illnesses served as an inspiration for my Ikebana arrangement. I chose bamboo because it has long been associated with strength, flexibility and health in many cultures. Bamboo is also used to ward off evil in many Japanese festivals. Meanwhile, the white lilies express purity, rebirth and innocence of the departed souls. I would like the white color of lilies and gypsophila to represent those who unfortunately lost their lives. I used bright blue and pink flowers for the focal point of my arrangement to honor all people who have won their battles. I’d like to encourage others to be brave and strong to combat their illnesses. Materials: bamboo, rhododendron, gypsophila , white lilies , freesia, salvia blue, crepe myrtle blossom, photinia red robin.

To Le Maguer, Ivy (Ikenobo: France)From Julie (Australia)
I would like to see something to celebrate the life of my mother who passed away this year. She was 83. She loved the colour red.
My mother loved animals and she loved to read. She trained as a nurse, then she met my father and married and had five children. She went back to university when her children started school and trained to become a teacher, then she decided she wanted to study French so she completed many French courses. She always had lots of friends and she was very social. She remained close to some of the French families who hosted her during the courses she did in France. Then she studied Italian as well. She loved to travel and she documented every aspect of her travels and our family life with her video camera. We used to get together for dinner on a Sunday night and we are all missing her very much now that she has gone.

From Ivy
Via this composition of SMALL JIYUKA (Free Style), I would like to evoke a familiar image of a terrace in France : morning coffee, croissant, newspaper... Materials : Red roses, Cotinus coggygria, Iridaceae, Santolina chamaecyparissus, Euonymous

To Lo, Shoan (Sogetsu: Australia)From Sonia (Australia)
I'd like to see a child-friendly ikebana that I could display in my classroom for the children to enjoy and appreciate. I teach Japanese to primary school children (aged 6-12 years old). Most of them have never been to Japan and have limited understanding of Japanese culture. Every week, I make a display on a small table to show some aspect of Japanese culture such as food, toys, children's day, origami, new year etc. I can imagine an eye catching ikebana using an interesting vessel that will make the children surprised and wonder what it's all about.

From Shoan
I hope the cheerful yellow chrysanthemum bird and the bright blue ramune bottles would catch the attention of the kids.

To Reddy, Rekha (Ohara: India)From Rose (Australia)
I am truly inspire by the exquisite designs and form of ikebana. I would dearly like to see a new form expressing new hope as design.
Given, the disruption to life we are forced to grow in maturity, vision and creativity. It’s amazing to witness the results.

From Rekha
The green vase used in this Ikebana arrangement is the colour of the growth of fresh, young leaf buds. The dark coloured dracaena shows the disruption in our lives. The strong red heliconias rising up high depict rising up in new hope, moving ahead inspite of obstacles. The three orange yellow ixoras show growing with maturity, vision and creativity.

To Reeves, Pulcheria   (Sogetsu: Australia)From Claudia (Singapore)
I have 3 young adults boys and I love flowers. Could you please make an arrangement that calls their attention as boys who have no idea about flower arrangements. Thanks. I’m Colombian but I’ve been living in Asia for twenty years. A few months ago I arrived in Singapore. My kids are 25, 20 and 17 years old. Right now, the youngest is living with me and he’s an artist by nature. Next year he will be moving to Adelaide to study there. He’s an entry-enthusiast level photographer as well and he wants to take beautiful pictures of my Ikenana arrangements but many times he doesn’t find a real interest in my arrangements so I would like to understand what he thinks when I make an arrangements and what are his expectations.

From C.P.
In response to Claudia's request , I attempted an arrangement that aimed to express strong structural design, contrast, depth, and earthy tones . Hopefully this will capture the eye of a photographer.

To Seehaus, Ekaterina (Sogetsu: Belgium)From Laurie (USA)
Of interest is Ikebana expressing a variety of lines...Thank you 🌺🌸🌼

From Ekaterina
The request from Lauri was for an arrangement with a variety of lines. I chose a vase with the surface formed by lines both straight and curved. This theme went further into the arrangement where I combined soft curve of naturally shaped Gladiolus flower with more rigid lines of the ornamental glass. The idea was to unite different types of lines and making them flow together.

To Shimbo, Shoso (Sogetsu: Australia) From Hong Kuan (Malaysia)

Malaysia is currently under full lockdown and I cannot risk going out to look for flowers. However, I have some non flowering tropical plants at my small balcony. I would like very much to see arrangement without flowers. Thank you.

マレーシアは今ロックダウンの最中です。花を求めて外出することはできません。でも、私の小さなバルコニーには花の咲かない熱帯植物がいくつかあります。そこで、花を使わない生花を是非見てみたいものだと思います。

To Wareham, Laurie (Ichiyo School: USA)From Wendy (Australia)
Together with a Japanese friend, I am preparing a presentation about kimono for a group of about 50 Australian ladies in a ladies' club. We will be talking about "kimono culture" and showing how a lady dresses in kimono for a special occasion. We would like a small but beautiful ikebana arrangement for placing on a coffee table between us as we sit in armchairs and talk about kimono. How would the ikebana specialists approach this exercise?

From Laurie
My request for this Exhibition is to do a Ikebana Cocktail Table Arrangement... So that Wengy G. from Australia can converse on her presentation about Kimono's... Thank you Wendy... Please Enjoy !!!

To Worner, Louise (Sogetsu: Spain)From  Sue (Australia)
Growing up in Australia and on a Flower Farm, flowers have always been a part of my life, vases of Flowers were always inside our house and a bunch given when visiting relatives and friends. Whilst the flowers in our house were always beautiful, I now realise after studying Ikebana for 5 years they were just that A Vase of Flowers, so my request for Hadadayori is using flowers only, any flower can be used as I love all flowers . Excited to see my Ikebana arrangement. Thank you.

From Louise
The theme for my arrangement is ‘flowers only’ as requested by Sue, in Australia. My aim was to create an arrangement in which harmony is achieved through imbalance and asymmetry. In Sogetsu Ikebana emphasis is placed on creativity, as a result I wanted to create an arrangement that reflects my style of ikebana which is modern and architectural. In considering the topic of ‘flowers only’ a standard approach would be to create a naturalistic arrangement using an abundance of beautiful flowers. Instead, I approached the topic creating an arrangement with movement and negative space using Serpent Garlic (Allium sativum var. ophioscorodon) and Ornithogalum both of which are linear with simple flowers.

To Duke, Shoto (Sogetsu: Australia) From Karen (Australia)
Could you please make an arrangement to soothe a grieving widow?
友人がご主人を亡くしました。彼女を慰めるような生花を是非お願いします。


Hanadayori 2023