According to Google,  Ikebana is the centuries-old Japanese art of arranging flowers. The practice, which roughly translates to “making flowers come alive,” uses carefully selected blossoms, greenery and other flora to convey a specific feeling or emotion to an observer – just as a painting or sculpture might. Ahead of a private ikebana lesson we decided to visit the Sogetsu exhibition in the Takashimaya department store. There are 266 exhibitions displaying stunning works of att using various elements. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I found myself taking photos of a ton of the displays because they weren’t like anything I had seen before. It was the perfect way to set the tone for the rest of the night…

After a quick meal and a change, my mother-in-law and I hopped on a train and headed an hour out of Tokyo to Kichijoji where the teacher lives. We walked to her house, which was a beautiful, traditional wooden Japanese house. She welcomed us into her studio, set up and ready to go with chrysanthemums and willow branches and everything we needed to make the display. After giving us a rundown on the angles and reasons for arranging it in a certain way, it was our turn to create something beautiful. There was a sense of calm as we carefully selected each stem, trimmed it with precision, and placed it in the vase. The process of ikebana, focusing on harmony, balance, and simplicity, allowed us to forget the hustle and bustle of city life and immerse ourselves in the art of floral arrangement. It was more than just a lesson; it was a soothing and meditative experience that connected us to the heart of Japanese culture and the natural world. I may have picked up a new hobby!