VAN NUYS — The San Fernando Valley Branch of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana and The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys will present sculptural creations of floral and plant materials on Sunday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last gate admission at 3:15 p.m.).
Live demonstrations of ikebana arrangements will be presented by Kyoko Kassarjian and other ikebana teachers at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the garden’s Shoin Building. Kassarjian, the director of the Sogetsu San Fernando Valley Branch, is an internationally recognized ikebana artist who has been granted the highest degree, riji, by the Sogetsu School in Tokyo. She currently teaches ikebana classes at UCLA Extension and Pierce Community College.
Ikebana is a highly refined and respected Japanese art form with over five centuries of history and development. The Sogetsu School of Ikebana is Japan’s most progressive, avant-garde school. Its students embrace today’s modern aesthetic while at the same time respecting and reflecting the Japanese heightened sensitivity to the beauty of nature. These dazzling ikebana creations can be as extreme as nature itself, peaceful and calm or wild and spectacular.
The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys is an oasis in the midst of a bustling metropolis. Its award-winning design is unique in that it incorporates three classical garden styles: a dry karensansui, a wet garden with promenade chisen, and an authentic tea ceremony garden incorporating a 4.5-tatami-mat tea room. The garden was created by Dr. Koichi Kawana, who pioneered the design of traditional Japanese gardens that utilize plants native to the area of the garden.
The garden is located at 6100 Woodley Ave. in Van Nuys. General admission for this event is $5; children under 10 are admitted free.
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