About Ikebana International London Chapter
Ikebana International London Chapter, founded in 1956, is a non-profit and the first European chartered chapter of Ikebana International, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and dedicated to the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Our mission is to share the essence and philosophy of Ikebana, foster cultural exchange, and build lasting friendships through flowers.
Ikebana International (II) was founded by Ellen Gordon Allen (1897–1972), who envisioned weaving nations together “as with a garland of flowers.” Today, that vision has blossomed into a global community with chapters over 60 countries.
Our chapter welcome members from diverse ikebana traditions. Some schools focus on classical styles, others explore contemporary expressions, and many enjoy a blend of both.
You can choose between Regular and Social membership. As a Regular member, you’ll enjoy the full range of international and local benefits. If you’d prefer something lighter, Social membership gives you access to local newsletters, meetings, voting, and exhibitions, while representing the Chapter by invitation. It’s a great way to stay involved at a local level without the full international commitments.
Learn more about Ikebana International at ikebanahq.org
Our Mission
Join Us
Membership
Membership is open to everyone, regardless of experience. Whether you're an experienced practitioner or just staring your journey with Ikebana. Ikebana International offers inspiration, learning, and opportunities to connect with others who share a love of flowers and Japanese culture.
As a regular member, you’ll enjoy:
Ikebana International Magazine (3 issues per year, in English), featuring photography by diverse Ikebana styles, and insights into Japanese culture.
Participation in the Chapter’s Annual Ikebana Exhibition.
Full voting rights, attend meetings, and may serve on the Chapter committee.
Sharing your contact details on the Chapter's website to connect with teaching opportunities.
Discounts on Ikebana workshops and events across worldwide chapters.
Access to the Members’ Area and online shop.
The local newsletters and notices with updates from chapters around the world.
Invitations to the World Convention and Regional Conferences.
The Board supports our chapter, creating a welcoming community. It includes elected members and presidents of appointed committees who work together to plan events, coordinate activities, and foster connections among members.
Board members are elected to work as a team to nurture growth and celebrate the art of ikebana. If you’d like to be part of the team, we’d love to hear from you.
President | Event Coordinator
Scarlett Szeto
Vice President
Toshiko Izuka
Vice President | Minutes Secretary
Hilary Cheng
Membership secretary
Kaori Yamamura
Treasurer
Belinda Jelf
General Duties
Aya Tanaka
Zoom Liaison | General Duties
Sachiko Pearce
Media Coordinator
Hedy Leung
Board of Committee
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ikebana?
Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, emphasising harmony, observing nature, and expressing yourself through flowers.
Is Ikebana just about arranging flowers?
Why practise Ikebana?
How to start an Ikebana journey?
Do I need to follow strict rules to do Ikebana?
Ikebana is more than art, it’s a way to connect with nature, slow down, and find calm in your day. It also encourages creativity, mindfulness, and appreciation for the changing seasons.
Not necessarily. There are traditional styles like Rikka, Seika, or Chabana. Ikebana offers various styles, including Moribana and Nageire, each with unique techniques and philosophies, but modern Ikebana is also creative and experimental. There’s plenty of room for personal expression.
Ikebana is also a meditative practice. It encourages you to slow down, notice details in nature, and enjoy the process of creation. It’s about balance, space, and the relationship between flowers, vessels, and spaces. In Ikebana, every element matters: the flowers, branches, leaves, and space. Together, they creates a living work of art that feels natural and harmonious.
You don’t need fancy flowers or fancy tools to begin, just some basic blooms, a simple vase, and a few essential tools. Experienced teachers from different schools are there to guide you every step of the way, making it easy and fun to get started!