Foo Foo “Ikebana” event a treat for floral aficionados

Press Release: This Saturday, Nov. 14, as part of the second annual Foo Foo Fest, the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida will host “Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement” at the Pensacola Cultural Center, 400 S Jefferson St.

The featured guest of the event, Chieko Mihori, will host both a morning demonstration of the Sogetsu style of ikebana and an afternoon hands-on workshop for those who want to try it for themselves.

Ikebana is the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. The Sogetsu school of ikebana was founded in 1927 and focuses on freestyle forms and vernacular materials, which makes it appealing for a wide variety of applications and settings.

Mrs. Mihori is a Sogetsu ikebana instructor of the highest rank. Along with her husband James, she was instrumental in founding the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida, where she also serves as Vice President for Cultural Affairs. In 2012, she received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, an honor bestowed by the Japanese emperor to individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion of the nation.

“This is a ‘don’t miss’ event for anyone with an interest in floral arrangements or Japanese culture,” said Joe Vinson, president of the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida. “Mrs. Mihori is a celebrity in the world of ikebana, and we are very fortunate to have her demonstrate her exquisite living craft to a Pensacola audience.”

Doors open at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14. Children are invited to participate in Japanese crafts all morning in the Cultural Center’s Mezzanine. The demonstration will start at 10:30 in the Mainstage Theater and last approximately 90 minutes. From noon to 1:30 p.m., pre-ordered bento lunches will be served in the Mezzanine. At 1:30 p.m., Mrs. Mihori will host a hands-on workshop in the Cultural Center Atrium lasting approximately two hours. Workshop attendees will create their own ikebana arrangements, which they can take home with them.

Tickets to the morning demonstration are $5, or free for Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida members. Tickets to the afternoon workshop are $50, or $45 for Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida members. Workshop participation is limited to 30 seats, so early registration is encouraged. If workshop attendees have their own floral scissors, they are encouraged to bring them; otherwise a limited number of scissors will be available to share.

There is no charge to participate in the children’s craft activities, which include making “chitose-ame” candy bags in celebration of the Japanese holiday “Shichi-Go-San.”

Registration is available online or by calling (850) 361-8750. Click here to register at Eventbrite, or get more details at jasnwfl.org.