Austin Ikebana Group is a cultural, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the study and appreciation of both classical and contemporary forms of Ikebana, the centuries-old Japanese art of flower arranging that is now practiced and enjoyed worldwide.
Ikebana (生け花,”giving life to flowers”) has spiritual and philosophical roots, where the relationship between every flower, stem, branch, leaf, and even container expresses a balanced and harmonious nature. The feelings of the arranger play a key role as well.
Austin Ikebana Group was founded by Isamu Taniguchi (1895 – 1992), who built Taniguchi Japanese Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden. The group consists of arrangers from beginners to advanced practitioners. Many members have received professional training in various schools of Ikebana, such as Ikenobo, Ohara, Sogetsu, and Ichiyo. They and guest presenters bring a rich atmosphere of learning through demonstrations and workshops,. Members practice with pre-selected floral materials and receive feedback from presenters during regular meetings, and they continue to exchange ideas, share pictures, and resources after meetings.
Group membership is open to individuals of all skill levels. Join us as we explore the beauty and elegance of Ikebana as well as the joy, peace, creativity, and friendship that it brings.
