GREETINGS FROM JAPAN

 

Raked garden at Entoku-in Temple in Kyoto

Hello all,

I'm writing this from my hotel room in Tokyo. I have returned here after visiting Kyoto, Osaka and Naoshima. My sister, Lucy, and her partner, George and I had planned an impromptu visit to Japan. Coincidentally, the Ikebana International 13th World Convention was on in Kyoto at the time we would be in Japan. Of course, at that late stage, all places had been booked but we were very lucky to find two cancellations, which allowed us to attend. However, there were no available places for us to exhibit.

In this post I don't have any photographs of ikebana arrangements that I can share with you. I can't use any of the myriad of photos I took of the members' and Iemotos' arrangements because the quality is not good enough to do them justice and, also, because I don't have permission from the makers of those arrangements.

I do however, have many, many photos from my travels. After all, this is Japan, everywhere you turn, there is something that's photo worthy.

There was a great deal happening at the convention and trying to keep up with everything was quite tiring and a little stressful. The exhibition by Iemotos and members from around the world was very good and Lucy and I spent a great deal of time in the exhibition room. The highlight for me were the demonstrations by the Iemotos of the schools. And, I know I'm showing a little bias here but the Sogetsu Iemoto, Akane Teshigahara absolutely nailed it! It was so good that she got a standing ovation. Photos were impossible but, hopefully, they will be featured in the So or Sogetsu magazines. I'll be keeping an eye out for them.

Lucy and I were delighted to meet up with my friend, Kazuko Yano and have a little catch up. As usual Kazuko was quite busy with official duties including acting as an MC for the first day of the Iemoto demonstrations.

Lucy, me and Kazuko

I, also, enjoyed meeting like minded people from around the world. The photograph, below is of a group of ladies from India, Lucy and me. One of these ladies, who follows my blog, recognized me and introduced herself to me. I was absolutely delighted and we had a very pleasant conversation. They brought gifts with them which they generously shared with us.

I ran into some people, whom I met at the previous convention in Okinawa as well as Australians from different states. Australia had a healthy contingent of attendees. I, also, met up with Mrs. Taruna Agarwal, the president of Ikebana International, Mumbai chapter, who was awarded a certificate on the opening night. Taruna had contacted me in 2020, during Covid and asked me to do a Zoom demonstration for their members. Some of you may have seen it at the time but, since then, she has uploaded it on YouTube. For those, who might be interested just type in 'Emily Karanikolopoulos Ikebana Demonstration'.

Taruna and me

Kyoto is a must visit destination if travelling in Japan. We were only there for a few days and most of our time was taken by the convention. One place I've been wanting to visit and wasn't able to do so in the past is 'The Philosopher's Walk'. We managed to do it and it was brilliant! Here are some photos -

Lucy and George beginning the walk

  

Lucy and me climbing up the hill

The view of Kyoto from the top of the hill

The following day we left Kyoto for Osaka. We had little time there so we  spent most of it visiting Osaka castle.

Lucy in front of the castle

Inside the castle we met a compatriot, whose name I forgot and who, we were pleasantly surprised to hear, was born in the same area of Greece as Lucy and me but now lives in London.

The sculpture in the photograph, below is in front of the building where the Australian Embassy is in Osaka, where the three of us went to vote.

And this is me casting my ballot in our Federal elections. It was quite an effort to get to the embassy but the three of us were determined to have our vote.

Bye for now,

Emily