Category Archives: Noh no Ikebana

“I met with Noh no Ikebana for the first time in 1989 when the master of Noh no Ikebana, Toshie Yokoi (1912-2004), came to the agricultural cooperative in my hometown in Aichi Prefecture, then Higashi Chita Nokyo which is now JA Aichi Chita. I thought it was interesting, so I went to see her. Then I was astonished by the idea of giving a new life to a twisted daikon radish, something that I used to do away with, as a star in her arrangement. I still remember the moment Ms. Yokoyama told us that this is something only we farmers can do. Since then, whenever I see uniquely-shaped vegetables, … Continue reading →

“I’m a member of Noh no Ikebana Club in Tokyo. We often use unwashed vegetables with Noh no Ikebana. That way, we feel the energy, warmth, and peacefulness of the earth. The theme of this arrangement is “Harvest” in autumn. First, I chose a taro stem, and next, other materials that go well with the centerpiece. I try to focus on the shape of the stem. Noh no Ikebana is fun, but it can also be challenging. I grow tomatoes and other vegetables, but what I grow is limited. So, many of the materials in my arrangements come from my friends’ farm. Sometimes, I’m not sure if I am treating … Continue reading →

“I knew Noh no Ikebana as my husband is a citrus and rice grower and a reader of the Japan Agricultural News. I always wanted to do it myself, but it was difficult while I was a primary school teacher. So, I enjoyed looking at clippings from the newspaper. When I retired, I started to help my husband and decided to make a new challenge. One day, I sent a photo of my arrangement to the Japan Agricultural News for the first time, and it was on the paper. I was so happy that I still enjoy sending photos of my arrangements. A good thing about Japan is that we … Continue reading →

“I began Noh no Ikebana after I saw an obituary for Toshie Yokoi, a founder of Noh no Ikebana, in 2004. I had known her for a while, and I was very much interested in her works and also the arrangements created by other Noh no Ikebana club members. When I saw the article in 2004, I thought she was encouraging me to make a new challenge. Since then, I’ve been enjoying making my arrangements at home and in my garden and sending photos to newspaper publishers. A local photoshop closed recently, and I have less chance to make prints to contribute today. But, when I find giant alliums and … Continue reading →

“I began Noh no Ikebana four years ago. A member of a local Noh no Ikebana group invited to me to join them at an event at an agricultural research center in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture. With Noh no Ikebana, we are free to arrange everything we see in our daily lives such as vegetables and flowers, and I think it’s lovely. The location is also part of the arrangement, and I have an unlimited number of ways to express myself. Usually, I put small, simple, and casual arrangements at my entrance. I’d like to continue doing it and make more arrangements in a wider variety. I also want to … Continue reading →