Vol. 44: What We Can Do Now

It is almost the end of the turbulent 2011.
We will never forget this year.

The Great East Japan Earthquake, which caused unprecedented damage, occurred on March 11, followed by the nuclear power plant disaster in Fukushima. Also, extremely serious phenomena, such as social reforms, economic crisis and natural calamities, arose successively in the Middle East, America, Europe and Asia.

For me, it was a very important year because of my 10th anniversary as Iemoto. I received warm congratulatory messages from numerous people throughout the year, which made me recognize again that I cannot exist without such huge support from a lot of people around me.

I energetically traveled around Japan for various events, including the solo exhibition at SPIRAL in Aoyama, Tokyo, after a four-year interval; branch exhibitions for my 10th year celebration in various places in Japan; the Sogetsu Annual Exhibition in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, as a special commemoration event; and anniversary parties. During my busy schedule, however, whenever I saw or heard about the damage of the earthquake or nuclear accident, I was depressed and almost overcome as my heart was burdened with a feeling of inability. But even during those times, the people who encouraged me most were the Sogetsu members who have struggled in the affected areas. Their forward-looking attitude made me naturally smile with the feeling, “Don’t stop. Let’s move forward. I will do the best I can do now!”

One time, a person said to me that “Iemoto’s smile gave me energy.” So I always try to keep a smile, which could be a humble source of energy for somebody. I want to offer this energy through flowers. And I hope to add to the number of smiling faces all over the world with ikebana!


                                      February: Parent-child ikebana trial lesson
                                 – Both father and daughter seem to be satisfied!

                                               March: Hokkaido Branch Exhibition

                                Excellent ikebana works made me smile spontaneously!

                                                 April: Okinawa Branch Exhibition

                      April: One scene when taking pictures for the magazine, Hanajikan

                 April: The staff celebrated my 10th anniversary! Surrounded by male staff!

                                                  This is a girls-only gathering!

                  May: During the preparation for the exhibition “Past Iemoto’s Influence”

                                    June: At the party for the Ikebana Contest.
                                     I received too many bouquets to manage!

                       July: Charity event for reconstruction from the earthquake held
                         by the Miyagi Branch. At the ikebana trial lesson for children
                            by the SYC (Sogetsu Young Challengers) members.

                    July: Commenting on the ikebana works at the Osaka Iemoto Class. 
                                   Conversations with the students were such fun!

                               July: Summer Seminar. At Mr. Sakuya Takehata’s class

                                   October: Shizuoka Branch East Region Exhibition 
                                    at the Numazu Villa Park of the Imperial Families

                             October: Tape cutting for the Fukuoka Branch Exhibition

                                              October: Miyagi Branch Exhibition

                 Presenting a lottery prize during a party for the Miyagi Branch Exhibition

                                        November: While arranging the ikebana work 
                                      for the Sogetsu Annual Exhibition in Nihombashi

                                  Not forgetting to smile even in a tense moment.

Thank you very much for reading my blog this past year. Best wishes for everyone to have a very happy new year!