Category Archives: Noh no Ikebana

[Our Noh no Ikebana] “We at midwinter long for the coming of spring,” says Matsuno Tsuzuki, 79, from Agui Town, Aichi Prefecture

“I began Noh no Ikebana more than 35 years ago. First, I joined the class given by a master of Noh no Ikebana, Toshie Yokoi, from an agricultural cooperative in Higashi Chita (JA Aichi Chita) at her visit at our female members’ group event. When she made some adjustments, vegetables in my arrangement suddenly looked so beautiful, fresh and lively. That moved me a lot I remember. Soon, I joined the club of the female members in Agui. Currently, the club has 19 members, but it’ll be nice if we can have some younger members, too. I always look for the materials for my arrangements, while I’m at my farm … Continue reading

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[Our Noh no Ikebana] “Let’s celebrate the joy of the new year with colorful, happy display,” says Keiko Sato, 74, from Mamurogawa Town, Yamagata Prefecture

“I saw the photos of Noh no Ikebana on the Japan Agricultural News and thought I want to do it myself. Then I began in 2012. I often use vegetable flowers. My favorite ones are flowers of Chinese chives. Looking at the white, small, and cute flowers, many blooming all together, makes me feel happy and calm. I also love the interesting look of their buds, which look like the heads of snakes. We seldom see vegetable flowers in supermarkets. So, we farmers are lucky to have and enjoy looking at them. When I find good-looking vegetables, plants and flowers, I took them home for my display at home entrance. … Continue reading

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[Our Noh no Ikebana] “See how grains are bending their heads down,” says Shihoko Matsuo, 78, from Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture

“The charm of Noh no Ikebana is in how we can enjoy it with friends. There is no particular style, and we are free to do anything. Vegetables in funny shapes have characters, and they are excellent materials for the arrangements. I think of the growth path of each agricultural product and try to express their stories in my arrangements. I began to pay attention to the joy of finding buds, the beauty of veggie flowers, and the fragility of life even during the daily usual agricultural works. When I find out-of-the-size-and-shape vegetables, I feel happy and start to think about how I can use them in my arrangements. I … Continue reading

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[Our Noh no Ikebana] “I’d like to celebrate the coming of the autumn,” says Michiko Sekimori, 70, from Chofu, Tokyo

“I’ve been enjoying Noh no Ikebana for almost 13 years. One day, I saw the arrangements of the No-no-ikebana group in Tokyo at a gathering among female farmers in Tachikawa, Tokyo, and thought I want to do it myself. “Look, you are going to be a star. Let’s have fun on the stage together.” I always talk to the flowers and materials silently while I make arrangements. The theme of this arrangement I created this October is “Fall finally came!” It’s been a very hot summer, so I used Japanese silver grass and persimmons to express my happiness to welcome the autumn. I would like you to pay extra attention … Continue reading

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[Our Noh no Ikebana] “I love looking at plants swaying in the breeze,” says Setsuko Tanakadate, 71, from Yahaba town, Iwate Prefecture (October 16, 2018)

“It’s been nearly 30 years since I started Noh no Ikebana. We can find materials at home and our vegetable gardens and arrange them freely regardless of schools or styles, and that’s why I’m doing it for such a long time with friends from a local Noh no Ikebana club. When we participate in prefecture exhibitions or local events, we share the materials and tools. Showing the arrangements with each other is fun. I always place importance on the sense of seasons. I enjoy using dead plants as well, in addition to fresh vegetables and plants. This way, I can express the passing of the seasons. Dried hydrangea is one … Continue reading

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