International Class - own choice of lesson theme

Today’s class had many new potential students attending an introductory lesson, which always starts with The Basic Moribana Upright. The remainder of the class could do freestyle or select a lesson from Book 3 or 4.

Half concentrating on my work and half listening to the instructions for the beginners class to see if it reinforced what I teach and to my delight it is the same, cut branches at an angle, cut flowers straight across, cut flowers under water etc.

Two of my students, Julia and Sandy attended today’s lesson and chose to do freestyle. I am very proud of their standard and Mrs Suikei Sakaguchi, today’s sensei, equally praised them.

My choice of lesson was Book 4 Lesson 18, Without a Kenzan. This is one of my favourite arrangements and I often struggle to get it looking really good plus I don’t like any of the material touching the side of the container. Using Satsuma Mock Orange and Ranunculus I made a couple of attempts to get the work in position and then start thinning out which of course changes to the balance. Finally I had it secure and could remove material quite easily but of course with care. Upon completing I was not happy because I had not removed enough material, which made it look neither massed expression or line. I removed further material mostly leaves creating definite lines and open spaces, which in turn allowed the Ranunculus to shine in their own beauty.