The Mindful Art of Ikebana Workshop

On Saturday 8th February, floral experts Funnyhowflowersdothat.co.uk are offering consumers the opportunity to celebrate the art of Ikebana and indulge in an afternoon of mindfulness and meditative flower-arranging. 

Hosted in partnership with renowned Ikebana expert Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, the workshop will offer consumers the perfect opportunity to find a creative outlook on the New Year and decade, ahead, and an all-important chance to reconnect with the beauty of nature. As a chairwoman of the longest-standing Ikebana school based in Japan, Tomoko will use her 20 years of expertise to lead and support guests throughout this alternative flower-arranging workshop of Ikebana, a practice highly regarded as a source of self-care and wellness in its native country. This beautiful form of Japanese flower art focuses on the symbolism and seasonality of each bloom to create strikingly beautiful, minimalistic and sculptural arrangements.

Taking place at Japan House London – the cultural home of Japan, housed in a stunning listed art deco building – guests will be warmly welcomed into the venue and encouraged to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, before immersing themselves in the practice Ikebana. 

Tomoko will embark on an introductory talk and live demonstration, educating on the history and philosophy of this flower-arranging method before guests are given time to themselves to create and arrange in free flow. Specialised Ikebana florists will be on hand to support guests with their practice and offer advice on how to balance the shapes and length of each arrangement to achieve true Ikebana style.

Mindfulness will be a key component during the workshop, with guests encouraged to admire the beauty, shape, textures and colours of each individual flower of the arrangement. The soft sounds of classical Japanese string music will play throughout, perfectly complementing Ikebana’s requirement to express individual ideas and emotions through the flowers, vases and finished arrangement. All consumers will keep their own creation to take pride of place and add a floral touch of Japan to their homes.