The Wellesley Garden Study Group, jointly with the Wellesley Garden Club, will host an ikebana demonstration with Tomoko Tanaka. The event will take place on Wednesday, November 15, at the Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington Street, Wellesley. Coffee will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the demonstration.
Ms. Tanaka will make several ikebana arrangements of the Sogetsu School. Sogetsu is one of several ikebana flower arranging schools founded in Japan, but now followed worldwide. She will enlighten attendees about the principals of ikebana. While she is demonstrating, she will provide information about the various plant material.
Tomoko Tanaka began her studies of Sogetsu ikebana at the age of fourteen. Presently she holds a certificate of RIJI, the highest rank of the Sogetsu school. She served the last six years as director of Sogetsu Mass Branch and served twice as president for the ikebana International Boston Chapter. In April, Ms. Tanaka received the Overseas Akane Teshigahara (Headmistress) Award for contributions and achievements to Sogetsu at the 90th anniversary celebrations in Tokyo, Japan. Her many experiences include teaching, demonstrations and workshops throughout New England. She also appeared as a guest on the PBS television show ”The Victory Garden.” She currently teaches ikebana at home.