What is SOGETSU Ikebana?

Ikebana originated in Japan over 550 years ago when Buddhist monks began placing offerings of flowers to Buddha in the temples. 

The Sogetsu School of Ikebana was founded in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara.
He felt that the strict rules of traditional Ikebana did not allow for individual expression, so after studying and mastering traditional Ikebana he broke away to develop his own school.

The underlying philosophy of the Sogetsu school is summed up in a famous saying by Sofu: ‘Sogetsu Ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, anytime, with any kind of material’.
This inclusive and innovative approach to the study allows us to express ourselves freely through our arrangements as we are not restricted by fixed styles, unlike the more traditional Ikebana schools.

Sogetsu Ikebana incorporates a wide range of styles, from home arrangements and shop window displays, to large scale works in a variety of venues. 

Sogetsu styles stimulate us, provide us with beauty, and share the healing powers of plants.

The Sogetsu school was one of the first to have English textbooks. 

There are currently 49 branches of Sogetsu in Japan (three in Tokyo) and 120 branches and study groups worldwide. 

Find out more at Sogestsu headquarters website