Hanaki Floral Design | Ikebana | Vancouver

Read our Q&A to discover more about Hanaki.

 

 

 

 

I’ve always loved Japanese culture growing up. I initially wanted to learn traditional Japanese tea ceremony so I searched online for classes I could take locally but stumbled upon ikebana instead. It was the Vancouver Ikebana Association website. We have 4 different schools here in Vancouver and I chose Sogetsu. It happens that my teacher is the founder of the Vancouver ikebana association and Vancouver Sogetsu. I started taking lessons from her and immediately fell in love. That’s when I decided to enter the floral industry by working at a flower shop. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the focus and emphasis of lines, angles, depth, shapes, sizes, colors, and negative space. The use of materials that can be found on the side of the road, in organic recycling, cut from the garden, or purchased from the store. The freedom of using any materials whether the stems are in its prime or not. It is very much like Wabi-sabi. Embracing imperfections and appreciating nature and its beauty.  

 

 

 

 

 

The best advice I received was to stay humble and keep learning no matter how old or how skillful and experienced you are. There will always be new techniques and materials. 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve worked for a few flower shops and studios for years and decided it wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore. I felt very restricted with the flower selection and the time I could spend on each arrangement. I wanted to have more freedom in terms of the design style I want to create and the materials I could use. It was a very difficult decision to make going from having a steady income to starting my own business. I am very thankful I took the leap and had the support of my family and friends. 

 

 

I look up to my sensei Kiyoko Boycott a lot. She is the founder of the Vanouver ikebana association and Vancouver Sogetsu. She has won many awards for her ikebana accomplishments over the years from the headquarter of Sogetsu in Japan. She is still teaching ikebana although she is close to 90 years old. (She wouldn’t tell me her real age…haha) She is someone that is constantly learning, watching ikebana demonstrations on her ipad, and reading source materials. She treats all her students very well and has created a wonderful atmosphere and place for her students to learn and enjoy ikebana. She treats me like a granddaughter as well. 

  

 

I am very fortunate to have inherited some prized containers from my sensei which I cherish a lot. I’ve also travelled to Japan and have collected a few pieces from there and also some from local Japanese homeware stores. For materials, I have my own cut flower garden where I plant flowers and foliage I use in my creative work. I also go around and cut materials on the side of the road. For my business, I source flowers from local farms and wholesalers. 

   

  

I would say my style is minimalistic and garden inspired. I like to focus on lines and depth, using whatever I can find that is in season. 

 

 

My favorite material would be whatever the best I could find at the time. My favorite season is summer/fall because that’s when my garden is the most flourishing.

  

 

Be humble and just keep on learning and have fun. Create at your own pace and don’t compare yourself to others.

  

 

I don’t really have any secrets or tips but I’ve created some of my most favorite pieces when I’m the most comfortable. I put on my favorite music and have snacks and drinks near me when I create. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to create an arrangement, sometimes over an hour. I don’t set a time limit when I create these pieces. Of course creating for a client is totally different. By having a comfortable atmosphere, I’m able to focus on my creation. Ikebana should not be stressful. 

 

 

I’m hoping to focus more on the workshop aspect of my business and less so on weddings and events. Continue to develop my garden and learn more about flowers, design, and growing. 

   

 

I would recommend visiting the Van Dusen Gardens and the local nurseries Phoenix Perennials and Art’s Nursery.