Merry Sensing, accessory manager and floral designer for Anderson’s Interiors in Goldsboro, conducted an Ikebana workshop March 14 for Kinston’s Home Gardener’s Garden Club at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Hostesses were Sarah Warner and Anne Lindley.
An native of Okinawa, Japan, Sensing studied Ikebana at the university in Japan.
“I always loved art,” she said. “My father does bonsai, and I got my interest in flowers from him.”
While living in New York City and taking “English as a Second Language,” Sensing was asked to substitute when her teacher was ill. This prompted her to become certified as a teaching assistant.
She shared the basic principals of Ikebana with members of Home Gardeners.
“Ikebana is an ancient art that began with sixth century priests offering flowers to Buddha and today includes a number of schools that apply variations in form and design to their artistic expression,” she explained.
“This disciplined art form produces creative expression in plant materials by applying certain rules of construction.” Line, color, space, contrast, texture and other design teachings help bring beauty and a sense of calm to those who create Ikebana.
There are four basic styles: Ichiyo, a contemporary style that harmonizes with one’s environment; Ikenobo, the oldest school, that offers the most traditional style of Japanese flower arranging; Ohara, which emphasizes the use of seasonal branch and flower materials; and Sogestsu, which promotes free style and abstract arrangements.
Sensing concentrated her workshop on the Ikenobo style.
“Japanese design focuses on three parts of an imaginary triangle — the main or shin (heaven), subordinate or soe (man) and base or tai (earth),” she said. “You have to study flowers and find the best angle for your arrangement. It is best to select your materials first and then select the container that best suits what you have gathered.”
Sensing urged members to cut their plant material in water for better absorption. She also recommended they cut slits in the branches to make them fit better in the containers.
Sensing and her husband Kevin have traveled extensively in the United States and abroad but settled in Goldsboro 20 years ago. In the United States Air Force for 20 years, he returned to Seymour Johnson as master sergeant and now teaches real estate licensing classes. Their son Michael is a realtor.
The Home Gardeners Club meets monthly, September-May, at members’ homes. Officers include Rebekah Stark and Emily Exum, co-presidents; Jane Hill and Donna Henderson, co-vice presidents; and Judy Sanders, secretary/treasurer.
