San Francisco Bay Area Chapter ＃31 USA

November 17, 2025
Demonstration　 Open to the Public
Wafu School & Enshu School

In today’s program, A Celebration of Autumn Gifts, Leona Fung of the Wafu School and Rayko Kurosaki of the Enshu School took the stage side by side and created arrangements that skillfully incorporated colorful autumn branches, flowers and fruits, showing gratitude for the gifts of nature.
Mr. Ryan Okada from the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco reported that the Government of Japan had announced that Joan Tomoko Suzuki, our Sogetsu Teacher Advisor, was a recipient of the 2025 Autumn Conferment of Decoration on Foreign Nationals: The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.
Side table arrangements were made by ten I.I. members.
Fresh cuttings, plants, books, tools and containers were available for members/guests to purchase at our Ways and Means Table.
Delicious tea and treats followed the conclusion of the program as usual.

December 12, 2025
Demonstration　 Open to the Public

The December program is our annual Holiday Bazaar. First, four new faces from the four ikebana schools – Frances Berriman from Ikenobo, Siqi Lu from Ohara, Louise Gregory from Sogetsu and Jini Yoshimoto from Wafu – stepped onto the stage for the first time and demonstrated using holiday materials. Kudos to the four new faces for their beautiful works. A wonderful way to get us in a festive spirit!
In addition to our usual Ikebana Supply table with plant materials, books and containers, other highlights included a delicious Paella lunchbox prepared by our own Ron Yee. There was a silent auction of slightly used containers, several potters with their latest ikebana vases. Other member-vendors selling handmade items and homemade bakery goodies perfect for holiday gift giving.
It was a wonderful celebration with lots of fun with ikebana friends.