Ikebana Arts

by Kika Shibata

Kika Shibata Kika was introduced to the art of flower arrangement at her early age of four in Kumamoto, Japan. She was inspired by her mother, Mrs. Shoka Narimatsu. After moving to the United States, Kika continued studying under Mrs. Narimatsu and worked as an assistant to her. Kika also regularly went back to Japan and studied under Ms. Kasumi Teshigahara. With her hard studying, she received her teacher's certificate from the Sogetsu School in 1967. In March 1989, she earned the prestigious title of RIJI, the highest degree offered by the Sogetsu School. She has been assigned as the Deputy Director of the Sogetsu San Jose_South Bay Branch by Headmaster Hiroshi Teshigahara since 1990. With her outstanding performance, she was appointed as the Sogetsu Regional Director of North America in 1996. She was also appointed as the President of Ikebana Teacher Federation in 1997. She is strongly bounded with the Ikebana community as she serves as the Vice President of Ikebana Shoka-Kai Society and as an active member of Ikebana International. Kika specializes in her unique line designs that enrich the living and working environments. Her clients include banks, restaurants, hotels, wedding parties and other special events. She also in the Ikebana designer for the home of the president of the Oracle company. She has been invited by various organizations, schools and professional floral markets to conduct Ikebana demonstrations and workshops. Kika has been a master teacher in Ikabana for 30 years. She holds many classes in Bay Area, including teaching special classes for children at the Tachibana Japanese Language School in Campbell. Her recent activities include (1) Participating and demonstrating for the Art and Flowers in de Saisst Museum at Santa Clara University (2) Demonstrating for Davis Flower Gai, Hakone Garden, San Francisco Ikebana International and etc. (3) Designing for the Christmas at our house, Kismet Art Gallery opening night, and the San Jose Art Gallery opining night. (4) Coordinating decorating for the Japanese Society New Year events and Self-Help for Elderly Foundation Fund-Raising events. (5) Participating Santa Clara Inter Generation program teaching flower arrangement to children in different schools. What is Ikebana? Sogetsu School