I found that I should let more and more Japanese people know and try Ikebana/ Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging with over 550 year history. I moved to the States and I would like to share in joy of Ikebana with people living here in the States. I thought of non Japanese people but I remeber that less and less Japanese women learn Ikebana.
Ikenobo Iemoto started to encourage high school students to learn Ikebana these years. Friends of mine do not learn Ikebana, my students for 25 years teaching , i only know 2 learned Ikebana, one niece. Oh , even among my friends, my students do not seem to have interest. Ikebana used to be enjoyed common people, not only by nobles, elite samurais, rich merchants but also common people. The Ikebana population was big. Even in their homes flowers may not be purchased to decorate their homes daily.
Once in the new year or none? That situation is making the problem worse. I thought I should remind that Ikebana is not difficult or something excluded. Just first experience will make a big change in their mind. So I woudl like to promote Ikebana in English for all over the world and Japanese people in Japanese. Anybody can enjoy beauty and lives of flowers and nature. Ikebana for everybody!
First recommend to purchase lilies because it has a long vase life and easy to care. Please watch this video. First half in Japanese and latter in English.