Koryu Shooukai Ikebana Exhibition 2025｜115th Anniversary Report at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre
- いけばな教室 おおら花
- Dec 7, 2025
- 4 min read
115th Anniversary — Visiting the Koryu Shooukai Ikebana Exhibition
On-Site Report from an Ikebana Exhibition
Ikebana exhibitions held in Tokyo and throughout Japan serve as special places where practitioners of various schools present the results of their daily training.
Simply viewing the works allows us to receive not only the energy of the flowers, but also the quiet power each material holds.
As a Ryusei-ha Ikebana artist, I participate in and view many exhibitions.Through this blog, I share what I experience on site—how space is composed, how materials are used—in a way that is helpful both for people already learning Ikebana and beginners who want to start.
Each school has unique features.Through exhibitions, we can experience the current state of Ikebana, observe artistic decisions, and learn from them.
This time, I attended the 115th Anniversary Ikebana Exhibition of Koryu Shooukai.
A Milestone Exhibition for Koryu Shooukai
This exhibition marked the 115th anniversary of Koryu Shooukai.
Koryu Shooukai inherits the lineage of the Koryu tradition, which began in the Edo period, and was revitalized during the Meiji era, continuing until today.
At the venue, a historical summary panel was displayed. In essence:
The Koryu tradition has continued since the mid-Edo period
It developed mainly in Tokyo after the Meiji era
It teaches both Seika (classical) and Gendai-ka (modern/free-style)
One phrase stood out for me:
“Ikebana of the Yamanote district was Ikenobo,while Ikebana of the downtown Shitamachi district was Koryu.”
This exhibition embodied exactly that—tradition deeply rooted in Tokyo culture, combined with the contemporary expression of today's artists. It felt like a milestone worthy of 115 years of legacy.
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre (Ikebukuro)
The exhibition was held at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Gallery 1, a short walk from Ikebukuro Station’s west exit.
On that day, there was a street dance event in the plaza, and pop-culture activities happening nearby.
Amid all the urban diversity, the refined world of Ikebana existed quietly in the theatre—very characteristic of Tokyo.
A large elevator brought us to the gallery floor, and through the glass we could see the main visual tapestry for the exhibition. It featured a contemporary free-style work, heightening anticipation even before entering.
Two Spaces: Classical Works and Modern Works
The exhibition used two adjacent areas on the same floor:
Classical Seika exhibition
Modern Free-style exhibition
I began with the classical works.
Immediately upon entering, a presentation rarely seen at regular exhibitions appeared before me.
“Hana-Ikou” — Spatial Ikebana Using a Kimono Stand
The first works were Hana-Ikou, Ikebana arranged on a kimono stand.
Originally used for hanging garments while incense is burned beneath, the stand is not placed in a tokonoma. Koryu Shooukai has inherited the practice of arranging flowers on this stand—a format said to have originated with General Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
It functions almost like a “movable tokonoma”.
Avoiding flowers of the same color while maintaining overall balance, the works demonstrated Ikebana as spatial art.
This alone allowed us to feel the deep aesthetic heritage extending back through Edo and Meiji periods.
Five Basic Seika Forms and the Beauty of Archetype
Toward the back of the gallery, numerous Seika pieces were displayed.
Historically, the Koryu Seika forms derive from works recorded in Bin-ka Gunsai (1767), evolving into five archetypal compositions.
Ikebana does not merely reproduce nature; it condenses the essence of a landscape within an interior space.
A whole tree is condensed into a single branch, and within that branch, the atmosphere of a mountain or a season is expressed.
This “condensed beauty” is what makes Koryu Seika timeless.
Standing before the works, I felt my posture straighten naturally.
Works that Left a Strong Impression
The exhibition was held at the beginning of autumn. Materials included pines, maki, willow, camellia, berries, and more.
Works showing powerful vertical rises of bundled pine
Works drawing gentle arcs with slender branches
Works composed in boat-shaped vessels, evoking journeys
Every piece demonstrated mastery in material handling and spatial reading.
Most memorable was the ichishu-ike by the iemoto, positioned centrally.
A large maki trunk covered with moss stood with quiet dignity. Each branch placement showed no hesitation. Decades of training were embodied visibly.
It truly anchored the entire exhibition—perfect for the 115th anniversary centerpiece.
The Second Venue: Modern Free-Style Works
Moving into the modern/free-style venue, I was greeted by pieces that felt like they were breathing more freely—though still with discipline.
Among them, the free-style work by the iemoto Chiba Rihou was outstanding.
Boldly using wisteria vines, it projected energy beyond its own space—dense, dynamic, and full of tension. Calling it simply “free-style” feels insufficient.
Koryu Seika and Ryusei-ha Seika
I study Seika and free-style within Ryusei-ha.
Seeing the Koryu Seika, I noticed subtle differences—how branches are handled, how the waterline is shaped, and how density is controlled.
What struck me was the shared foundation:
No matter the school, the works arise from deep bodily knowledge gained over long practice.
Different forms, same sincerity toward the plant materials.
Learning from This Exhibition
Three key insights stood out:
The coexistence of dignity and spatial awareness seen in Hana-Kake
The architectural clarity of the five basic Seika archetypes
The quiet but undeniable weight of long training in every line and leaf
The works made me think:“I must study more.”I left with renewed motivation.
About Our Ikebana Studio “Oraqua” in Nihonbashi, Tokyo
At IKEBANA STUDIO Oraqua, located in Nihonbashi, we offer:
Beginner trial lessons
Regular weekly and monthly courses
Training for instructors and certification
Guidance for aspiring Ikebana artists
Although our school is part of Ryusei-ha, we actively visit other schools’ exhibitions—including Koryu Shooukai—to maintain a broad perspective.
Visitors to Tokyo are welcome, and lessons after work are available too.
If you want quiet time facing plants through Seika or free-style, please feel free to visit us.
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