Category Archives: Photos

“It was the time that I decided to help my family out on the farm as my kids were big enough. I began reading the Japan Agricultural News and saw some articles about Noh no Ikebana, which I found was very interesting. I decided to take on the challenge as I have the right materials at home. Each piece of materials looks gorgeous. Simple agricultural products I brought back from the farm are so brilliant in Noh no Ikebana. Vegetables in irregular sizes and shapes are something special to me. I sometimes hide them before somebody discards them. While I’m walking to the farm, I always look for something beautiful. … Continue reading →

The year of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics Games has come. “Let’s welcome the athletes and guests from abroad with our Noh no Ikebana!” A Tokyo-based Noh no Ikebana Group is trying to create the nationwide movement to celebrate the 2020 Games with Noh no Ikebana arrangements. Here, we share some of their initiatives and attractions. -Noh no Ikebana Group in Tokyo: we want to show that Japan is a nation with people with warmth. “Tokyo is going to welcome a great number of international guests for the Olympics and Paralympics games. With our Noh no Ikebana arrangements featuring our lovely agricultural products and old farm instruments, we want to … Continue reading →

“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 →