On Saturday, July 3, the 6th Iemoto Ikebana Live was held at the Aster Plaza in Hiroshima. Ikebana Live is a stage performance for the audience to enjoy the process of ikebana being created from nothing, accompanied by lighting and music. All the arrangements, from a relatively small one that can be placed on a table to a spectacular installation using the whole stage, are created from scratch in front of the audience.

An arrangement that represents “night” with refreshingly cool colors

This time was at a luxurious space with 1200 seats and the maximum height and depth of venues so far used for Iemoto Ikebana Live shows.
The performer of Part 1 was Ms. Koka Fukushima, Master Instructor of the Sogetsu Headquarters, and I was in charge of Part 2. Ms. Fukushima showed a chic yet dynamic staging with music played by Mr. Yasuyuki Iwatani, a jazz pianist, and attracted the audience by her creation with a message of peace because this was in Hiroshima.

The stylish stainless containers were all designed by Ms. Fukushima.

When I considered the development of Part 2, I was inspired by the elements that I felt when I visited Hiroshima: light, passage of time, and water. I expressed the hopes and dreams for the future that are born anew everyday, together with Mr. Masao Miki, a promising young dancer, on the stage.

The final installation constructed with vivid green and washi (traditional Japanese paper) radiated gently

I again enjoyed a miracle moment realized only after numerous precious efforts became one. Thank you very much to the members of the Chugoku Block, who dedicatedly helped us over a long period from early morning to late night, the backstage staff who beautifully dramatized the performance with lighting and sound, and last but not least, the audience!

Commemorative photo with performers and staff

Ms. Fukushima and I, fully made up just before the live performance. We are the Kado (the art of flower arrangement in Japanese) Sisters, imitating the famous Kano Sisters in Japan!

With jazz pianist Mr. Yasuyuki Iwatani (right) and dancer Mr. Masao Miki (left)

A party after the successful live show was full of excitement and afterglow!