Ikebana Floristry Class for Beginners

Enjoy an Ikebana worksop for your special occasion



1.5 hours Class size 10 to 90 guests       $100 (PayPal Pay in 4 available)

Learn the essence of basic Ikebana flower arranging in this hands-on class for beginners!
You will enjoy the relaxing and contemplative process of Ikebana flower arranging as you create your own arrangements. You may also find yourself re-energised through the magic of touching the beautiful gifts of nature.
The session starts with a brief discussion on the historical and sociocultural aspects of Ikebana. Then, you will make a basic arrangement to learn the traditional design principles, and a freestyle arrangement to learn how to express yourself through Ikebana.
At the end of the class, you will have an opportunity to have an individual consultation with Shoso and share the philosophy behind your unique arrangements with other participants.
You will arrive with nothing and leave with a flower work of art and the inspiration to make many more!
This workshop is ideal for special events such as hen's parties, team building activities or a cultural event.
Please note: This is a tailored training program. If you have a group of people interested in Ikebana, we can arrange a workshop for you. You can choose a date or venue. Please select the 'Request' option.
What you'll get
Your very own Ikebana arrangement.
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Knowledge required
Beginner-friendly.
What to bring
No requirements, just bring yourself.
Location

Your teacher can travel within 50 kms of Melbourne, to a venue of your choice.

Ikebana Floristry Class for Beginners location
Verified reviews

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Your teacher

Shoso Shimbo
Shoso Shimbo

4.9 (83)

Shoso Shimbo, PhD
Ikebana Artist | Sculptor | Garden Designer | Shinto Priest
www.shoso.com.au
Dr. Shoso Shimbo is a certified Sogetsu Ikebana teacher with over 30 years of experience. He began his Ikebana journey in the 1980s in Hiroshi Teshigahara's Men's Only Class at the Sogetsu Headquarters in Tokyo, where he studied the distinctive principles and philosophy of the Sogetsu School. Since then, he has been dedicated to teaching and sharing the art and philosophy of Ikebana.
He is also an award-winning sculptor, garden designer, and Shinto priest active in both the contemporary art and floral design worlds. His numerous accolades include a Gold Award at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.
Dr Shimbo frequently collaborates with local and international musicians, including Paul Grabowsky and the Gregorian Brothers, presenting live installation performances at the Melbourne Recital Centre and internationally in Vietnam.
On 29 August 2026, he will present an ikebana performance with Jessica Aszodi at Melbourne Recital Centre.
In 2023, he was invited to participate in the National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Bloom event. His floral art is regularly featured in International Floral Art by Stichting Kunstboek (Belgium).
As a leading figure in the community, Dr Shimbo is the CEO of the biennial Melbourne Ikebana Festival. He also founded Ikebana Dojo, an online learning platform, and the Ikebana Gallery Award, the world's first online international ikebana competition.
His sculptural work has been exhibited in major national contemporary art events and in 2017, he was awarded the Arnold Bloch Leiber Prize at the Yering Station Sculpture Exhibition. He was commissioned to create a public art installation for the Archibald Prize Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, and after the bushfires in 2016, he created the Wye River Project as part of Lorne Sculpture.
Dr Shimbo has published extensively with internationally recognised organisations and publishers, including Springer and UNESCO, and has dedicated many years to sharing the philosophy and practice of ikebana and Japanese culture with international audiences.
His recent academic work include:
the chapter “Environmental Art: Ikebana Meets Contemporary Art, ” published in Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects (Springer, 2026), and
“Relative Positions of Freestyle Ikebana Movement in the Field of Ikebana Before and After WWII, ” Traditional Culture (Kyoto University of Arts Publishing).
He currently serves as:
Vice President, International Society of Ikebana Research (ISIR),
CEO, Wa: Melbourne Ikebana Festival.
Additional Qualifications:
Certified Shinto Priest (Chokkai officially approved by Jinja Honcho – Kyoto Kokugakuin)
2026-08-21 15:00:00
class V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d production melbourne Melbourne VIC AU melbourne