Ikebana Masters and Tea Ceremony Organization Receive Commendation
On Nov. 9, Consul-General of Japan Eiji Yamamoto presented special commendations to the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Toronto Association, Ms. Suisei Abe of the Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto East Branch and Ms. Hodo Mizoguchi of the Ohara School of Ikebana, Toronto Chapter. These commendations were recognition of their work in promoting the art of ikebana and tea ceremony in Canada, as well as of their support for the activities of the Consulate-General of Japan.
Consul-General of Japan Eiji Yamamoto extends his congratulations.
Ms. Suisei Abe (second from right) and her colleagues of the Sogetsu school.
Ms. Hodo Mizuguchi (centre) and her colleagues of the Ohara school.
Representatives of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Toronto Association.
Ms. Abe, the Director, Sogetsu Ikebana Toronto East Branch, has been teaching Sogetsu-Ryu Ikebana at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre since 1963. Along with Ms. Mizoguchi and Ms. Shizuko Kadoguchi of the Ikenobo Toronto Chapter, she has generously provided arrangements for the Consulate-General’s National Day receptions. She along with the other masters also provided arrangements for the various events that occurred when Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan visited Toronto in July 2009. As can be surmised from how Sogetsu’s Ikebana exhibition in at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is marking its 42nd year this year, she has devoted a great deal of effort toward the promotion of ikebana among the citizens of Toronto.
Ms. Mizoguchi, the former President of the Ohara School of Ikebana Toronto Chanpter, had been teaching Japanese to middle school students since 1976 at The Japanese School of Toronto Shokokai, as well as providing flower arrangements at school functions. She started to focus completely on teaching Ikebana in Toronto in 1987. Like Ms. Abe, she has greatly supported the Consulate-General’s activities, arranging beautiful flowers for our official residence as well as for our National Day reception. She provided the arrangements for the suite in the Royal York Hotel that was occupied by Their Majesties during their visit here.. As president of the Ohara School’s Toronto Chapter, she, too, organized exhibits and promoted traditional flower arranging among Torontonians.
The Chado Urasenke Tankokai Toronto Association was established in 1976. They have supported the activities of our Consulate-General by holding an autumn tea gathering at our request in celebration of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada in 2008. This year, they will also assist us at our annual National Day reception by serving tea to guests. They have promoted the spread of the Tea Ceremony locally through such activities as public demonstrations.
