Profile

Ken Katayama

Master instructor of the Sogetsu HQ
Director of the general incorporated foundation “Sogetsu-kai”

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Influenced by her father, who grew chrysanthemums, she became interested in flowers and would arrange them as a pastime during her childhood. With the encouragement of her aunt, she joined the Sogetsu Institute and also became a staff member at the atelier.

During his time at the atelier, he accompanied the first Sogetsu school headmaster, Teshigahara Sofu, the second headmaster, Kasumi, and the third headmaster, Hiroshi, on trips both domestically and internationally. He learned Ikebana at the Kasumi school, and his gorgeous style was influenced by Kasumi.

After working in an atelier for 10 years, he opened a school in Fukuoka. He has given demonstrations and workshops in Japan and abroad. He has created installations in public spaces such as department stores, commercial facilities, and the Hakataza Theater. In 1997, he exhibited his work at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh.
In recognition of her promotion of Ikebana both at home and abroad, she received the Fukuoka City Culture Award in 2021.

Koso Katayama

Master instructor of the Sogetsu HQ
Director of Sogetsu School Fukuoka Chapter

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She joined the Sogetsu School in 1978 and studied under Master Ken Katayama. She has also studied under the direct guidance of Akane Teshigahara, the 4th head of the Sogetsu School, in the "Let's Try Demonstration" and at the Sogetsu School Headquarters Course. In addition to teaching at various schools, companies and school flower arrangement clubs, she also works as a part-time lecturer at corporate training centers and finishing schools.

Ikebana demonstrations in various parts of Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. I have created installations in public spaces such as department stores, the European lobby of the Huis Ten Bosch Hotel, the lobby of the Grand Empire Hotel, and the Hakataza Theater. I have exhibited at numerous Ikebana exhibitions both in Japan and abroad.

In addition, even before she started flower arrangement, she was active as a calligrapher under the name Yamaguchi Shoen, and has written the names of Michelin-starred Japanese restaurants, performed a calligraphy performance for the "One Character of the Year" at Hakata Hankyu, and written the title characters for the Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa poster. She also incorporates his own calligraphy into his flower arrangement works.

Hana Katayama

Ikebana Flower Artist

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Born to a flower artist, Ken Katayama, and a flower artist and calligrapher, Kosaka Katayama, she was familiar with Ikebana and various arts from an early age. She accompanied his father on overseas business trips (Singapore, America, Malaysia, Hong Kong, etc.) from an early age and realized that Sogetsu Ikebana was popular all over the world.

At the Sogetsu Soryu 80th Anniversary "Souryu Festival" held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, he was so impressed by the collaboration between performers from other genres and the fourth head of the Sogetsu school, Akane Teshigahara, that he decided to study the Sogetsu school in earnest.

She worked at the Sogetsu Headquarters and furthered his training.
She has expanded the scope of her activities to include teaching ikebana to children, workshops for mothers, and performing on stage in collaboration with traditional Japanese performing arts and music. She has exhibited her work at numerous ikebana exhibitions both in Japan and abroad.