Throughout the world, it is customary to appreciate flowers in a vase, but only in Japan do we find the growth of floral art, Ikebana, so intimately associated with all aspects of life. Since the islands of Japan are located in the temperate zone and are blessed by beautiful landscapes and four distinct seasons, the Japanese people, living amidst these natural blessings, have a finely developed sense of beauty which reflects their special feelings for nature. They find beauty not only in the flower, but in the unity of leaf, stem and flower as well. In Japanese floral arrangements, the true beauty of nature is expressed when the feeling in one’s heart creates an art form: IKEBANA.

The Ikenobo School of Ikebana originated in Kyoto, Japan in the year 1462. It is the first and oldest school of flower arrangement. Ikenobo was originally the name of one of the priests as well as the name of the structure in the Rokkakudo Temple. The first Ikenobo Monk to study the way of flowers was Senmu. Over the years, the Ike-no-bo, where Senmu and his descendants lived and continue to live, became known as the center of Japanese Ikebana.

The present Headmaster, Sen’ei Ikenobo, the 45th descendant, not only continues to promote the classic traditions, but has developed several new styles of floral arrangement, the Shoka Shimputai and the Rikka Shimputai, which touch the heart of modern society.

Very much in keeping with Japanese tradition, the Headmaster has always been a male. In the 21st century, the first female, Senko Ikenobo, daughter of Sen’ei Ikenobo, is the Headmaster Designate.