About Us & What We Do
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Sogetsu Illinois Study Group was established in 1990s (roughly speaking) by Yaeko Baily.
Since then, our group has passionately introduced Sogetsu style ikebanas to the local communities through the collaboration with different artists and volunteers. Having Sogetsu Ikebana Shows annually at Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum, Evanston Art Center, etc., are just some of the notable activities we have performed in public for the last twenty years, and we are continuously moving forward and extending our horizon from ordinary classroom activities to more public space performance.
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What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is not just placing flowers in a vase. Creating an Ikebana arrangement is a way to connect with nature, admire its beauty and appreciate its harmony. In other words, we are creating biophilic space with ikebana!
How is Sogetsu Ikebana Different from Other Schools?
Sogetsu added modernism to the traditional ikebana styles, that have been practiced for centuries in Japan, and made it more accessible to everyone.
The revolutionary phrase, ’Ikebana can be arranged by anyone, anywhere and anytime’ came out from our first iemoto Sofu Teshigawara, who was called P. Picasso of flower arrangement' by the French magazine Figaro and TIME magazine in the US etc..
Sogetsu emphasizes creativity and respect for individuality more than any other schools.
