SOGETSU IKEBANA HISTORY
The Sogetsu School was founded by Sofu Teshigahara in l927, his motto was ikebana can be made ‘Anytime anywhere anyone with any kind of materials'.
Sogetsu Ikebana is enjoyed throughout the world, today under the direction the 4th Iemoto Akane Teshigahara (Sofu’s granddaughter). She has overseen the introduction of a revised curriculum and while the relationships existing between the elements of line, mass, space and colour remain unchanged in Sogetsu principles, she has introduced greater emphasis upon floral material and colour. Akane’s focus is on maintaining the relevance of ikebana with contemporary life.
Branches of Australian Sogetsu Teachers Association were established in each State in l964 by Norman Sparnon and his wife Mary. Norman studied Sogetsu Ikebana in Japan for thirteen years after World War II, he saw the possibilities through this art of promoting International Peace and Understanding and contributing to Australian Japanese relations.