Takayuki Fukazawa | Ikebana Artist | Tokyo

Takayuki Fukazawa is a beloved ikebana artist known around the world as one of the Sogetsu school’s atelier staff. His technical skills are amongst the best in the world at creating large scale installations for the Sogetsu School displays and exhibitions. There is no doubt that he has talent and has left a great impact on those who have met him.

When you think of ikebana, many people imagine a lady, wearing kimono in a tea ceremony situation gently and delicately creating her flower arrangement. Takayuki Fukazawa is the opposite of this image – you could say his vibe is more of a rockstar, grungy artist that you’d meet late at night on a street in Tokyo whilst carrying a backpack filled with bamboo. 

The first time I met Takayuki was at a Sogetsu conference in Delhi, where he was working on Akane Teshigahara’s team building her designs for the exhibition. At this time I was 25, and my experience with ikebana people had so far been a glittering world of ambassador’s wives and retired ladies who were very stylish, creative and sophisticated but quite a bit more senior to myself. And very well dressed. In comparison, Takayuki was a young ikebana ninja in my eyes with a hardworking yet rebellious energy. The epitome of cool.

Takayuki shows many young people around the world that ikebana is not just a hobby but can be an incredible career option too. His job in the atelier team has him making ikebana arrangements in the most impressive locations all over the world. Read more about his inspiration in the below Q&A. 

1. Why do you love ikebana?

I love gardens and architecture. I’m doing my two favourite things as a job. 

I feel I can express my feelings at the time through this form. 

2. What is the best advice you have received through your ikebana studies? 

Choose elements for what you really want to express. 

3. How do you manage working with your passion as your job? 

By having fun

4. Are there any artists who you look up to or inspire you most? 

My father. He was an artist of underground culture. I love his words “Creation is more faster than light” 

5. How would you describe your style of ikebana? 

Plants and human in the nature. 

Expressing form of each force. 

6. Do you have a favourite material? 

Chrysanthemum. 

7. What is the advice you would give to someone who is studying or teaching ikebana? 

It’s thinking 80% and making 20%. 

8. Do you have any good ikebana secrets or tips to share? 

Think about the relationship between plants and container. And it’s having your creations. 

9. What is ahead in your flower future? 

Still finding out.

To see more of Takayuki’s work, visit his instagram @takayukifukazawa_ikebana

Interested to learn more about Ikebana: the Japanese art of flower arrangement? Join us at Ikebana Club. Find out more.