Shoso Shimbo
local_activity classes: Ikebana • Flower Arrangement • Floristry
4.9 (50)
1k followers
Shoso Shimbo PhD is a certified teacher of Ikebana and has over 30 years experience in Ikebana. He studied under the late Sogetsu Head Master, Hiroshi Teshigahara.
Shoso was selected by Belle magazine as one of six “Australia’s top floral designers” and has won multiple awards including the Gold Award at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. His work was selected for the prestigious publication, International Floral Art 2014/2015 & 2016/2017, Stichting Kunstboek (Belgium).
His sculptural works have been featured in some of the major contemporary art exhibitions including the Toyota Sculpture Exhibition, Lorne Sculpture, Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award Finalists Exhibition, Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition and the New Wave Art Festival at the NGV.
He won the Arnold Bloch Leiber Prize at the Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition 2017. His recent commissions include a public work of art for the Archibald Award Exhibition 2015 at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Wye River Project as part of the Lorne Sculpture 2016.
A common theme through many of his works is harmony with nature's organic order and the relationship between man and nature, where man is a part of the natural order rather than the owner of it.
Shoso has an MA in Japanese Studies, a Master of Fine Art and PhD in Education. He is also qualified as a garden designer (Japan Horticultural Society) specialising in Japanese gardens. He is a directer of International Society of Ikebana Studies and he teaches Japanese Aesthetics at RMIT Short Courses.
Classes
Reviews
(50)
Mercedes Cerda Iturriaga • Sep 2023
The place was nice, and the teacher teachs us a lot , I made a beautiful arrange
Gabe Kovacs • Jun 2023
Excellent teacher, Shoso provided some very interesting background and history on Ikebana and made Japanese tea for everyone. We had the opportunity to make a basic arrangement with material provided for us. Great value for money, considering we got to keep the arrangement we made, including a beautiful glazed pot and fresh flowers.
Susan Purcell • May 2023
It was a very informative class. Probably a little too short being and hour. 1.5 would have been better.
The venue was lovely and the teacher very knowledgeable and lovely.
Helen Pattinson • May 2023
I enjoyed the Ikebana experience. Very interesting to learn a little of the history. Teacher explained basic techniques and produced a lovely example. Enjoyed making our own first attempts and brought out masterpieces home. Materials provided were more than adequate. Overall a great experience.
Crystal Zhu • Mar 2023
My first class and it was amazing! Shoso introduced the craft of ikebana and taught us in a clear and very interesting way. All the materials and equipment were provided for, and he even gave us tea! Loved it, and would definitely recommend :)
Emmy • Feb 2023
Great class for introduction Ikebana. Shoso is very knowledgable about the art of Ikebana and always happy to help his students out. The venue was clean and spacious enough for a group of about 10 people. Materials were provided so we didn't have to bring anything. It was a great experience and we look forward to more lessons about Ikebana with Shoso.
Angelina Ling • Feb 2023
Extremely patient and insightful teacher. Takes his time to explain and guide the students. Explains every step with great clarity but also ensures it’s simple for students so everything is digestible. The location is rather far away, so I would recommend booking a session in during the weekends only. Great way to spend quiet and quality time with a good friend
James McLauchlan • Aug 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed my class today with Shoso. I found it both informative and entertaining. A relaxed atmosphere, gentle guidance & more than ample materials provided to work with. I would heartily recommend.
Karen Scott • Jun 2022
Our teacher was incredibly knowledgeable, I really enjoyed learning about the history of Ikebana. His demo was detailed and directions were easy to follow (even for someone who isn't naturally artistic!). I was really happy with my final product!
Sabrina Alcouffe • Jun 2022
It was my first class with ikebana arrangement. Good info to allow us to know the basic tips in achieving the end result a near perfect arrangement. Will be back for more lessons.
Deshna Karan • May 2022
Shoso was incredibly helpful and guided us through the steps for ikebana very carefully. He was also always there to support us also 1-on-1 and was full of knowledge and interesting facts on the history of ikebana! My friends and I had an amazing time, and will engage in this practice again! :)
Jeanne Siripaisankul • Apr 2022
Teacher was really positive and good at what he doing. Highly recommend. I will check out his upcoming courses.
Coleen Paller • Feb 2022
Such a wonderful and informative class by Mr. Shimbo!
He truly breaks the Ikebena basics down so if you’re completely new you can grasp the main concept behind its visual art.
Can’t wait to start learning more!
Esther Wan • Feb 2022
I really enjoyed the class with Shoso - he provided a really interesting history to ikebana and made it easy to understand the principles of the arrangement. I came away with a beautiful piece that I’ve been enjoying since.
Ynez Howlett-Jansen • Dec 2021
Shoso was a great teacher, it was a fun class, and we got lovely ikebana to take home
Karen Boucher • Dec 2021
Excellent value, very informative. Teacher is great at explaining & provided everything we needed. Highly recommend.
Cristina Napoleone • Nov 2021
The teacher was very informative and in tune with the students needs
Great class,would recommend it
Henry Rojas • Nov 2021
Class was good maybe made with more time it’s very short time for big topic .
Pauline Amon • Nov 2021
Very clear class on the basic principles of Ikebana and wonderful to go home with a vase of flowers
Kathryn Strasser • Nov 2021
I very much enjoyed the class. The light filled venue was good and the teaching was excellent. We learnt some of the history of Ikebana and the basic arrangement. Notes were provided. I am interested in learning more.
Arsha Raghavan • Nov 2021
Great for a beginner class, the space is really nice too. Susho is good teacher,takes the time to go through everything in great detail, provided a handout at the end of the class. And I walked away with a pretty arrangement.
Ella Haines • May 2021
Shoso is insightful and charming and his class is well prepared. I came with nothing and left with an exciting start to the basic introductory skills of Ikebana. The one hour class is rich with the essentials but not too long that you are overwhelmed. I left with key insights that I understand enough to practice and improve. I recommend this class to anyone interested to try something on their own or with a friend - lovely learning environment.
Lesley Bretherton • May 2021
Shoso is very good teacher. He explained things cleary and provided a demonstration before we embarked on our own ikebana. The venue was well set up with plenty of space I would highly recommend this class to any one wanting an insight into ikebana. We all took home very different but beautiful ikebana design pieces.
Fleur Gascoyne • Jan 2021
Great class and lovely teacher, our group of 10 really enjoyed the workshop and learning about Ikebana. The introduction to Ikebana with the history of this japanese art form was informative and it was great to learn the theory behind Ikebana - definitately not as easy as it looks but Shoso was very helpful! The workshop was also good value for money. I highly recommend this workshop and Shoso as a teacher. Thanks again Shoso!
Nicole Cooper • Sep 2020
Thanks Shoso-san for a great class, your feedback on our pieces was excellent we look forward to attending again :) Nicole and David
Hayley Ng • Aug 2019
Due to unpredictable weather, we decided to do something indoor at the very last minute for a hens party. This is when I found out about classbento online. While it was a very last minute thing to take up a class, John, the co-founder of the website has been very attentive to our needs and easy to reach out, making the process of organising the class so easy! Moving on to the Ikebana class, there’s only positive things to say! Shoso was amazing! He is very knowledgeable and patience to answer all questions! His class was not just fun but also educative. If you are interested with Japanese culture like we do, a class with Shoso should definitely be on your to do list!
Check out our Ikebana photo! As a group of people who knows nothing about flower nor Ikebana, we are very proud with our own work!
Johanna Wyatt • Jun 2019
This workshop was wonderful! We had a small group of 4 and Shoso was a wonderful facilitator and teacher. Shoso was engaging, knowledgeable and highly skilled. We all thoroughly enjoyed our workshop! The Ikebana floristry class for beginners was great fun and very relaxing.
