About us

Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271/ Ikebana International Milano | Ikebana a Milano, Italia | Non-profit Prospective Chapter #271/ è un’associazione non-profit con sede a Milano, Italia, dedicata all’arte dell’ikebana, l’arte floreale giapponese che unisce natura, spazio, equilibrio e quiete interiore.
La nostra missione è promuovere l’ikebana giapponese a Milano, in Italia, attraverso mostre, workshop, dimostrazioni, eventi culturali e incontri per membri e appassionati, dai principianti ai praticanti avanzati. Incoraggiamo lo studio delle tecniche tradizionali dell’ikebana, insieme all’esplorazione creativa, nel rispetto della stagionalità, dei materiali naturali, della linea, della forma e dello spazio vuoto.
La nostra comunità offre mentorship, scambio di esperienze e opportunità di esporre le proprie opere nell’ambito di eventi culturali e artistici.
Attraverso ogni composizione, Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271 desidera coltivare attenzione, armonia, elegante semplicità e una più profonda conoscenza dell’arte floreale giapponese in Italia.
Presidente e Fondatrice: Alina Alexandru, insegnante certificata di Ikebana Sogetsu School Tokyo.

Ikebana International Milano | Ikebana in Milan, Italy
Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271 is an association based in Milan, Italy, dedicated to the art of ikebana, the Japanese floral art that unites nature, space, balance and inner stillness. Our mission is to promote Japanese ikebana in Milan, Italy, through exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, cultural events and meetings for members and enthusiasts, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
We encourage the study of traditional ikebana techniques, as well as creative exploration, with deep respect for seasonality, natural materials, line, form and empty space. Our community offers mentorship, exchange of experience and opportunities to exhibit ikebana works within cultural and artistic events.
Through every composition, Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271 aims to cultivate mindfulness, harmony, refined simplicity and a deeper appreciation of Japanese floral art in Italy.
President and Founder: Alina Alexandru, Certified Sogetsu Ikebana Teacher.

Objectives

Ikebana International (I.I.) is a worldwide organization founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen. It's members are dedicated to promotion of the mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and other countries through Ikebana (the art of Japanese flower arrangement) and other related arts of Japan.

https://ikebanahq.org/about-us

Ikebana International (I.I.) is a "Shadan Hojin", a non-profit cultural organization in Japan and today boasts over 10,000 members in more than 50 countries. Enthusiastic volunteers of many different nationalities and ikebana schools administer Ikebana International.
Some of the Ikebana schools stress classic styles; others focus on creative, contemporary forms, and some blend the two - each school different, yet each openly sharing its inspirations, styles, philosophy, history and techniques.

Membership is open to all persons interested in the art of Ikebana and the ideals of Ikebana International regardless of their previous experience.

Address: IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, Misaki Bldg. 5th Fl,
3-28-9 Kanda Ogawamachi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0052, Objectives Ikebana International

Ikebana Schools

Ikebana Schools
In Japan more than 3,000 ikebana schools are established today.
The Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271 represents two of them for the moment.
1. Sogetsu School (草月流), talking about modern ikebana today, it meant first of all the form of ikebana that has been instructed and become known all over the world by the Sogetsu School in Tokyo.The Sogetsu School was founded by Sofu Teshigahara in 1927 in Tokyo. From childhood he was instructed in the art of flower arranging by his father, an ikebana teacher. Initially working as sculptor and calligraph, Sofu Teshigahara soon became the most distinguished ikebana master of the 20th century. He attained international recognition as artist and directed the school until his death in 1979. He was followed by his daughter Kasumi Teshigahara as Iemoto (headmaster) until 1980. After her death her eldest brother Hiroshi Teshigahara became the third Iemoto. At that time he had a brilliant career as film director and was a famous ceramist and calligraph, too. Big bamboo installations indoors and outdoors in nature were his speciality. Since April 2001 Akane Teshigahara, the second daughter of Hiroshi, follows her father as the fourth Iemoto. She is the first Iemoto who has developed the instruction for children.
2. The Ohara-ryū (小原流), founded in 1895, revolutionised the world of Ikebana with the introduction of moribana, a style that arranges flowers in a water basin while preserving the principles of traditional Ikebana. By transforming flowers into works of art, the founder, Unshin Ohara, created a sensational expression that resonated with the contemporary living space, making Ikebana more accessible and admired worldwide. Ohara Ikebana is expressed through its signature styles. Moribana (盛花), the hallmark of Ohara Ikebana, uses a flat basin to create expansive, natural arrangements, showcasing the essence of flowers. Heika (瓶花) is a traditional vase arrangement rooted in the Edo period’s nageirebana, combining heritage with modern sensibilities to emphasize natural elegance in vases. Hanaisho (花意匠) is designed for contemporary living spaces, accommodating a variety of flowers and arrangements visible from multiple angles, making it accessible and inspiring for beginners and experienced practitioners.

Alina Alexandru

Miyuki Griffin

Scuola Sogetsu La Scuola Sogetsu è una delle principali scuole giapponesi di ikebana, fondata a Tokyo nel 1927 da Sofu Teshigahara. La sua filosofia si basa sull’idea che l’ikebana possa essere creato sempre, ovunque e da chiunque. Attraverso l’equilibrio tra struttura e libertà, The Sogetsu School is one of the major schools of Japanese ikebana, founded in Tokyo in 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara. Its philosophy is based on the idea that ikebana can be created anytime, anywhere, by anyone, using a wide variety of materials. Sogetsu ikebana values line, movement, space and individual expression. While deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, it encourages creativity, contemporary interpretation and the use of both natural and unconventional materials.

Ohara School The Ohara School is one of the major schools of Japanese ikebana, founded in the late 19th century by Unshin Ohara. It is especially known for developing the moribana style, in which flowers and branches are arranged in a shallow container, creating natural landscapes and seasonal compositions. Ohara ikebana places great emphasis on the observation of nature, seasonal beauty, harmony and the natural growth of plants. Its arrangements often evoke landscapes, water, movement and the quiet rhythm of the changing seasons. La Scuola Ohara è una delle principali scuole giapponesi di ikebana, fondata alla fine del XIX secolo da Unshin Ohara. È particolarmente conosciuta per lo sviluppo dello stile moribana, in cui fiori e rami vengono disposti in un contenitore basso, creando paesaggi naturali e composizioni ispirate alle stagioni.

Ikebana workshops

Sessioni guidate passo dopo passo: principi, strumenti, linee e proporzioni per le prime composizioni equilibrate. Guided step-by-step sessions: principles, tools, lines, and proportions for the first balanced compositions.

Corsi avanzati di Scuola Sogetsu di Ikebana e di Scuola Ohara, mentoring ed esposizioni. Advanced courses, mentorship, and exhibitions

Perfezionamento negli stili e nelle tecniche, feedback individuale e preparazione per presentazioni/esposizioni. Advanced training in styles and techniques, individual feedback, and preparation for presentations/exhibitions.

Dimostrazioni ed eventi culturali Demonstrations and cultural events

Dimostrazioni dal vivo e collaborazioni con istituzioni culturali per avvicinare l’ikebana al pubblico. Live demonstrations and collaborations with cultural institutions to bring ikebana closer to the public.

NEWS. SILENT LINES
Esposizione di Ikebana e Kimono“Silent Lines” è un progetto culturale dedicato all’arte giapponese dell’ikebana e alla bellezza del kimono, concepito come un dialogo tra linea, spazio, stagionalità e sensibilità contemporanea.
La mostra, promossa da Alina Alexandru, artista e insegnante certificata Sogetsu Ikebana e Presidente di Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271, propone una selezione di composizioni ikebana ispirate all’estetica giapponese, accanto a kimono e obi tradizionali, in un percorso che invita il pubblico a scoprire il valore del silenzio, dell’equilibrio e della forma essenziale.

L’iniziativa si svolge con il patrocinio del Consolato Generale del Giappone a Milano ed è riconosciuta come evento celebrativo del 160° anniversario delle relazioni diplomatiche tra Giappone e Italia.

Tale riconoscimento conferisce alla mostra un importante valore istituzionale e culturale, sottolineando il ruolo dell’arte come strumento di dialogo, amicizia e incontro tra culture.ASSESE hub
Via Privata Bobbio 6
Milano
Giorni e orari dell'esposizione:
29-31 maggio, 14:30-19:30

Alina Alexandru

Founder & President/ Certified Ikebana Teacher (Sogetsu School)

Founder of Ikebana International Milano Prospective Chapter #271, Certified Sogetsu Ikebana Teacher, Grade 3