After a two-year hiatus, JASH and the Ikenobo Society of Texas, with support from Ikebana International Houston Chapter #12, announced the return of in-person ikebana lessons.
Under the guidance of Nanako Tingleaf, a professor in the art of Ikenobo Ikebana, veteran students of ikebana and newcomers have gathered at the JASH office every third Thursday to study this beautiful and elegant artform.
Each lesson focuses on a different theme or expression which should be observed through the arrangement. Combining line, texture, space, surface, prints, and mass, the students share their thoughts and style.
About Nanako Tingleaf:
Courtesy of Ikebana in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country
Professor Nanako Tingleaf began her ikebana studies while she was in junior high school. After five years, she was presented with Kanban which is a certification that allows her to open a private teaching practice. On that occasion, she was given her ikebana professional name: Gyokusui. On arriving in Houston, Texas, she met other Ikenobo teachers who encouraged her to apply for higher Ikenobo certifications. She received her 14th certificate, Sokako, Professor of Ikebana First Grade in 2005.
Professor Tingleaf has given demonstrations at various organizations and occasions throughout Texas to include I.I. Chapters in Houston and Fort Worth, the State Convention of Texas Garden Clubs. Texas A&M University, and she has exhibited at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Asia Society Gala, Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Residence of the Consul General of Japan for gatherings and other events. In May 2015, she acted as translator to the Headmaster Senei Ikenobo and his assistants from Kyoto, Japan, for the celebration of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Texas 50th Anniversary Symposium. At the end of the celebration, the 45th Headmaster, Senei Ikenobo, presented her with the certificate “Junkatoku” and the award of merit for the advancement of Ikenobo Ikebana and the contribution and dedication to the school.
She has attended Ikenobo seminars in Kyoto and audited advanced courses at the Chuo Kenshu Institute. These classes are taught in Japanese by senior professors at the Ikenobo Headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. She has studied and traveled worldwide with Ikenobo senior professors to include San Francisco and many other U.S. cities; Toronto, Canada; Madrid, Spain; and Basil, Switzerland. She is a past president of I.I. Houston Chapter and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Texas.
She appreciates and has a deep respect for the Art of Ikenobo today as she did many years ago. It is her desire to introduce and promote Ikenobo Ikebana whenever opportunities arise.