＃51 KAMAKURA CHAPTER JAPAN
20 February, 2025
Chapter Meeting
Our February event was held at the Yokosuka Naval Base, where we hosted a Wagashi Making Demonstration. The Wagashi store, which is located close to Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, is Ryushotei NISHIMURA. The demonstrators were Ayami Yamakoshi and Kenji Yamamoto. They have studied the art of making confections and have many years of experience. As such, we were amazed by their talent while they created some delightful sweets right in front of us.
While we had a lunch buffet, we enjoyed the music of a live Jazz Ensemble from the 7th Fleet Band.
17 April, 2025
Workshop
We had the honor to host the workshop by Ms Yukiko Takahashi, a 6th generation woodblock printer and representative, from Takahashi Kobo Company.
We learned about the history of woodblock printing: how it started, how its techniques were back in the Edo period, and how it came to be one of Japan’s treasured art forms.
During the workshop our members and guests could choose between two different designs. One was the Great Hokusai and the other was a floral design. After the printing, the next process was to mount the print into a fan, decorate it and enjoy!
It was a great learning experience. Everyone had a lovely time aboard the Yokosuka Naval Base.
15 May, 2025
Demonstration Exhibition Chapter Meeting
What a beautiful way to close out the season on May 15, with a demonstration by Mr. Toru Koizumi, CEO of “Hakuraku Kaen” Co., Ltd. and Director of the Kanagawa Branch of the Kozan School. Among his impressive career and many awards, Mr. Koizumi had the honor of decorating the flowers for the late Princess Diana on her visit to Japan.
We conducted our AGM and voted in our new Board for the 2025-2026 season. Also, a clay bonsai was presented to Capt. Les Sobol, Commander of the Yokosuka Naval Base, where it will be permanently displayed creating a lasting symbol of appreciation.
We enjoyed our members’ demonstrations and camaraderie, a bazaar of special homemade crafts and a delicious lunch.
We are so happy to have ended our season successfully and would like to keep growing our love for flowers through friendships.
