Course description
During the weekend, you will get acquainted with the Japanese art of flower arrangement, Ikebana. The course starts from the basics. We will explore the role of Ikebana in both the history of Japan and in modern times. We will also learn about the attitude of lifelong learning in Japanese culture and the appreciation of art and aesthetics in everyday life, following the seasons. We follow the curriculum of the modern Sogetsu school and learn basic techniques using various plant materials. In addition to basic arrangements, we will also practice creative work with free arrangements. The course's teaching methods include the instructor's Ikebana demonstrations, guidance on making arrangements, and finally, a joint review of finished arrangements, allowing you to learn and get inspiration from other Ikebanists' works. Despite working together, everyone works from their own starting points, following their own path as an artist. The goal is for you to be inspired to bravely express your creativity with plants and to learn basic techniques that will allow you to continue practicing Ikebana at home. Through exercises, you will practically learn the essence and tension of Ikebana's three basic elements – line, color, and mass – in arrangements and begin to view the surrounding nature and arrangements in a new way. To encourage you to bravely create arrangements at home, you can also practice making arrangements in vases found in your own home for your life's celebrations. For the course, you will need to bring pruning shears, vases, branch material, and cut flowers, as well as note-taking equipment. Tools are also available for loan from the teacher. The course instructor is Ikebana teacher Ruut Mononen.
Epassi mobile app can be used as a payment method on this course.
CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING.
- Small pruning shears, or Ikebana scissors
- A small cloth for cleaning scissors and the table, etc.
- Your own vases that you wish to use. Bring at least one vase with which you will create a festive arrangement suitable for a special occasion on Sunday.
- Note-taking equipment
- At least 6 branches. (at least about arm's length. We will also look for these together during breaks from nature around the institute, so it's good to have clothes and shoes suitable for walking outdoors).
- Flowers. at least 15 roses or chrysanthemums and 3 longer strong-stemmed flowers (these, being straight and sturdy, are good for practicing moribana and nageire) and in addition, various flowers you would like to try, for example, for your Sunday festive arrangement.
- You can also bring plant leaves (slightly waxy ones last well in arrangements).
If necessary, you can ask the teacher for more information about the materials to bring (ruut.mononen@gmail.com)
Course program
Note: The schedule below is indicative according to the times, as the goal is to work at the students' pace. We will also take more breaks if necessary. However, the mentioned basic techniques will be learned during the weekend.
Friday 4.9.
Arrival, dining at café-Restaurant Trapesa
17.00–18.00 Weekend orientation. Introductory tour. Introduction to Sogetsu Ikebana and workstation preparation.
18.00 Ninth Hour, Vespers, Small Compline and Three Canons
19.30 Evening meal
20.00-21.00 Ikebana workshop. Moribana arrangement (1-1 Basic Upright Style Moribana).
Saturday 5.9.
6.00 Midnight Office, Matins and Liturgy
7.30 - Breakfast
9.00–10.30 Ikebana workshop. Moribana arrangement (1–2 Basic Upright Style Moribana with flowers).
10.30-12.00 Ikebana workshop. Nageire arrangement (1-3 Basic Upright Style Nageire & Tate-no-Soegi-dome support structure)
12.00–13.00 Lunch at café-Restaurant Trapesa
13.00-15.00 Ikebana workshop. Free Style Arrangement & Sketching (2-10 Free Style Arranging and Sketchin
Collecting material from nature.
15.30-17.00 Ikebana workshop. Nageire arrangement (1-10 Basic Slanting Style Nageire in Reverse & Jumonji-dome support structure)
17.00–18.00 Ikebana workshop. Table arrangement without water (2–16 Spreading Arrangement)
18.00 Vigil
19.30 Evening meal
Sunday 6.9.2026
Room check-out by 12:00 PM
7.30 Breakfast
9.00 Second Hour and Liturgy
10.30–12.00 Ikebana workshop. Arrangement in one's own vase for a celebration or special event (4-19 Specific Scenes, Occasions or Spaces)
12.00–13.00 Lunch at café-Restaurant Trapesa
13.00–14.00 Closing session. Reflection on what has been learned together, opportunity for discussion and questions, 'How to move forward with flowers as part of a lifestyle.'
