Saitama Chapter　#260 　Japan

3 August 2025
Chapter Meeting
The 2025 General Meeting was held on August 3, 2025 at the Hotel Brillante Musashino.
At the General Meeting, there was a business report, financial report and audit results report for FY2024, and they were approved by Chapter members.
Eight new officers for FY2025 were nominated by Yaeko Minagawa, the nominating director, and the new Chapter President, Nobukazu Shindo, took over the role from the former Chapter President, Yoko Karasawa.
The new officer proposed a business plan for FY2025 and it was approved by the Chapter members.
At the first regular meeting to be held on October 11th, it was announced that a demonstration of “obi art” will be held by Shuko Yamamoto, a lecturer of the Obara School.
After the general meeting, a luncheon was participated by the chapter members with a toast made by the guest, Tomiko Kakinuma, and the friendship of the chapter members was deepened.
After the luncheon, we welcomed lever harp player, Yoshika Nakazato, to watch the lever harp performance. At the end of the performance, at the suggestion of Ms. Nakazato, all the participants sang a Japanese song, “Furusato” with a liver half performance, and the concert ended in a harmonious manner.
11.Oct.2025　
Demonstration　 Exhibition　 Open to the Public
On 11 October 2025, at 11:00, the inaugural regular meeting of the Saitama Chapter of Ikebana International commenced. The meeting was chaired by Sumiko Akagawa (English) and Chizuru Sato (Japanese). Saitama Chapter Director, Nobukazu Shindo (Hakuryu), delivered a welcome address. Congratulatory addresses were received from distinguished guests: Ms. Chisato Obikane, President of Ikebana International; followed by Mr. Kaisei Shindo, Head of the Katsura Koryu School and Chairman of the Saitama Prefecture Ikebana Federation; and then congratulatory telegrams from the Prefectural Governor and Mayor were presented. At 11:15, Ms. Shuko Yamamoto and her daughter, Ms. Kasumi (her assistant), demonstrated obi art and ikebana. At 12:15, lunch (double Japanese bento boxes). The toast was proposed by Ms. Miho Okawara, former President of Ikebana International and Honorary Member of the Saitama Chapter. At 13:00, Ms. Rie Shinohara performed on the flute and ocarina. At 13:40, the event closed. Closing remarks were given by Ms. Tomiko Kakinuma, Honorary Advisor to the Saitama Chapter of Ikebana International. At 13:50, a commemorative photograph was taken. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration and lunch, making it a most rewarding gathering.
16th November 2025
Workshop
Ms. Shuko Yamamoto’s demonstration of “Obi Art” drew a strong interest from the members, leading to “Obi Play” workshop.
Under the guidance of Ms. Miyoko Yanagishita, who energetically organizes exhibitions incorporating obi sashes, members challenged themselves with “Obi Play.”
They were deeply moved by the experience of seeing obi sashes, previously stored away in drawers, transformed into such artistic creations.