2024 December President’s Message

Dear Members of Ikebana International and Ikebana Friends,
At the I.I. Annual General Meeting on September 25, 2024, nineteen directors were elected to the International Board by the vote of Ikebana International members. All of us on the International Board are volunteers.
Our membership is now 6,394 in 138 chapters. We have 37 members more than last year. I am sure that all the chapters tried very hard to increase our membership.
Ikebana International was established by an American woman, Mrs. Ellen Gordon Allen, in 1956. During the 67 years since the organization was founded, her motto, “Friendship through Flowers”, has been vividly inherited by the worldwide members of Ikebana International.
If you are not already a member of Ikebana International, I encourage you to become a member of the nearest chapter and participate in the many events organized by the chapter.
The Ikebana International North and Central American Regional Conference was held in Philadelphia in October. It was a great success.
The Ikebana International 13th World Convention will be held in Kyoto in April 2025. Already 1050 members from 36 countries and regions have registered.
There are many opportunities to see the wonderland of ikebana. Please look at the Activities page in this website.
Recently, the world has had to face countless disasters. I feel so sorry for those who have lost their loved ones.
I.I. has had financial problems. It is not always easy to find the best solution. But we have been able to overcome those difficulties. Our bond must have become stronger ever since. We now must move forward. Let’s make next year fruitful.

Tomoko Takada
International President