Modern Ikebana Sogetsu school and traditional temple
Old and New
I came across the Sogetsu school building in Akasaka. It’s near 5 minutes walk from metro Aoyama-1chme or Akasakamitsuke stations.
They were doing Ikebana exhibition there.
Also there is a Toyokawa Inari temple opposite side of the road. These are nice combination of modern and traditional. I enjoyed watching both!
I’m Nobu, I like traveling overseas and in Japan, visited 25 countries. I’ve got the license of the certificate English guide in Japan for 7 years.I show you hidden Japan which you have never seen and heard of!
Sogetsu School
The Sogetsu School is a Japanese ikebana school.
Sogetsu school was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara, the first Iemoto ( school master)of the school.
It has a character of free and avant-garde style.
The school has 49 branches throughout Japan and about 120 branches and study groups outside Japan.
Concept of Sogetsu school
Sogetsu ikebana focuses on “line, color, and mass,” and gives strength, weakness, shading, and variation through looseness.
The works are not necessarily Japanese-style.
But the main floral materials are not placed at even intervals.
Also they don’t make the entire work completely symmetrical.
So the balance of the composition is basically based on Japanese art.
Western painting is based on the contrast of light and shadow, while Japanese painting is based on line and space.
In the West, the presence of space in a work of art is sometimes not considered a good thing.
However, Japanese art focus on the aesthetics of space.
And in ikebana, the outlines of plants are often contrasted with space.
Sogetsu is an formative art too
Sogetsu ikebana is also a formative art.
The style of ikebana is not limited and is completely free.
For this reason, the boundary between Sogetsu ikebana and sculptural works is sometimes unclear.
Sogetsu ikebana can be made from a variety of materials such as paper, synthetic resin, metal, etc.
Moreover it can be completed without using any plants, using only artificial or inorganic materials.
In some cases, they create works in places that are difficult to maintain, such as watering.
They often use bleached or colored plants to supplement the form.
There are also times when the artist creates a work of art with the effect of assembling a series of materials, as in craft works.
Large scale works
In particular, large-scale sculptural works using bamboo are symbolic creations unique to Sogetsu.
Sogetsu Kaikan is located in Akasaka.
Kenzo Tange completed in 1977 , an architect who led Japan’s modern architecture.
It has a stone garden created by the world-famous artist Isamu Noguchi.
The Sogetsu Kaikan, equipped with a multi-purpose hall.
Then it has become a center for creative activities that transcend genres, not to mention ikebana.
How about spending a moment of tranquility at the Sogetsu Kaikan, which overlooks the greenery of Akasaka Palace and stands out on Aoyama street?
After Sogetsu building, I recommend you go to Toyokawa inari temple opposite side of the road.
You will enjoy traditional Japanese culture there!
On the second floor, there is a café ‘Connel coffee’with a view of the greenery from the windows, where you can enjoy a relaxing time.
I’m Nobu, one heart enjoy together!!!