美味しいお料理とお喋り とても楽しい新年のスタートでした。今年はこのサイトの更新ももっと増やさなくてはと思ったスタートでした。
Delicious food, lots of chatting, and a really fun start to the New Year! It also got me thinking I should update this site more this year.
2026/2/1 海外の軍属の幹部候補生さん達が留学に来ていらっしゃる防衛省の留学生会館でいけばなボランティアを行いました。留学生をサポートするホストファミリー主催のイベントでした。こういう形のホストファミリーボランティアも有る事をはじめて知りました。留学生の方々はホストファミリーさんと和気あいあいでとても楽しそうでした。さて 生け花に関しては、留学生の皆さんほとんどの方が初体験とおっしゃっていましたが、飲み込みの早さに驚きました。角度、方向等皆さん専門家ですから(^◇^;)と後で気付ました。最初に少し説明をして、その後は各自で活けて頂きました。どの作品も素晴らしい出来上がりでした。この日はいけばな体験の後 琴や尺八の演奏、そして豆まきの体験もありました。自衛隊員さんの赤鬼さん、青鬼さん大活躍でした。子供達も泣いて、笑ってとても楽しそうでした。素敵な一日ありがとうございました。
I did an Ikebana volunteer session at the Ministry of Defense International Student House, where overseas military officer-candidates are studying. The event was hosted by the host-family group that supports the international students. I didn’t know there were volunteer activities like this as a form of host-family support!
The students were really enjoying themselves and seemed very close with their host families.
As for the Ikebana session, most of them said it was their first time, but I was amazed at how quickly they understood everything. Later I realized—of course they’re all professionals when it comes to angles and directions! 😄
I gave a short explanation at the beginning, and then everyone arranged their flowers on their own. Their works turned out beautifully.
After the Ikebana experience, there were performances of the koto and shakuhachi, and even a mamemaki bean-throwing activity. The JSDF members dressed as the red and blue oni were a huge hit—kids were crying, laughing, and having the best time.
Thank you for such a wonderful day. I really had a lot of fun!
美味しいランチの後は演奏、豆まき Music performance & Mamemaki after the yummy lunch
今年も一年間ありがとうございました。楽しい一年でした。来年ももっと楽しい素敵な時間を一緒に楽しみましょうね。(*^_^*)
It was great spending time with you this year. It was fun year. I’m excited to enjoy many fore fun moments with you next year. (*^_^*)
お二人は初心者さん。とても素敵な作品に仕上がりました。
Two of them are beginners. Thay have created a very beautiful piece.
↑ A work with pine cone by a boy who come to help his mom. It’s good, isn’t it?
↑ お母さんのお手伝いに来た男の子が松ぼっくりを使った作品 素敵でしょ。
今年もリースクラスいよいよスタートしました! 今年はどんな力品が見られるか楽しみです。
The wreath class have started! I can’t wait to see the amazing creations everyone makes this year.
黒の背景もいいですね。 Black background is nice!
アーティストさん達 Artists
2025年リースクラスのスタート～ Kicking off the 2025 Wreath class~
毎年新鮮でピカピカの唐辛子を集めるのにとても苦労していました。艶のある唐辛子を使えばリースもグンと引き立ちます。今年は唐辛子を相模原にある畑に収穫に行って来ました。タイの方が「日本の唐辛子は辛くない」という事でご自身で畑で栽培なさっている所です。当日はお天気も良く広々した畑での刈り取りを楽しみました。
I’ve always had a hard time finding fresh, glossy chili pepper each year. Shiny peppers really make the wreath look so much better. This year, we went to harvest chili peppers at a farm in Sagamihara. The Thai person said that “Japanese chili peppers aren’t very spicy,” so they decided to grow their own. It was a beautiful day, and I enjoyed the harvest.
りんごはいつも青森から直送して頂いてます。食用の姫りんごです。こんな感じ。
The apples come directly from Aomori Prefecture. They are edible mini apples.
教室もスタンバイ My studio is also standing by
夏の暑い日に上野にある不忍池に蓮の花を見に行きました。上野駅集合でまずは腹ごしらえ。自分達で焼くお好み焼き屋さんに皆で行きました。子供達も参加の賑やかなツアーでした。楽しいランチの後に不忍池に到着。あらら 満開というよりも綺麗な蕾みが沢山。蓮の花は、午前中に咲いて昼頃にはお花が閉じてしまう事を知らなかったので、見る事が出来たのはほとんどが蕾みの花でした。(^◇^;)
On a hot summer day, we went to see the lotus flowers at Shinobazu Pond in Ueno.
We met at Ueno Station and grabbed lunch first. We all went to an okonomiyaki(Japanese pancake) place where you cook it yourself, which was a lot of fun. It was a lively outing with kids joining too. After a fun lunch, we headed to Shinobazu Pond. But oops—rather than being in full bloom, there were lots of beautiful buds. I didn’t know that lotus flowers bloom in the morning and close by around noon, so most of what we saw were buds. 😅
We had an ikebana class at the U.S. Embassy compound using artificial flowers. For most of the participants, it was their first time trying ikebana, but everyone created such beautiful arrangements. Normally, ikebana is done with fresh flowers, but using artificial materials has its advantages — they last longer and can even be taken overseas. Of course, they don’t have the texture or fragrance of real flowers, but watching everyone enjoy the process made me realize that the joy of arranging flowers is the same either way, and that made me really happy.(*^_^*)
アメリカ大使館コンパウンドにてアーティフィシャルの花材を使った生け花クラスを行いました。皆さん生け花は初体験という方々でしたがとても素敵な作品に仕上がりました。通常は生け花は生花材を使いますが、長持ちする、海外へも持って行ける等のメリットもあり、生花の質感、香りは無いものの活けている時の生徒さん達を見ていて活ける事の楽しさは同じなのだと気づき嬉しくなりました。(*^_^*)
東京の品川区にある西五反田協和町会の女性部でシニアの方々に生け花指導のボランティアをしています。城南信用金の本店はこの町会のエリアにあり、城南信金の協賛の元本展ロビーでいけばな展を行いました。皆さん真剣で集中して まるで女子高校生のようでしたぁ(^_^)
その日は現品川区長の森澤恭子さんもお忙しい時間を割いてお花を見にいらして下さいました。そしてShinagaw Cityにその様子を投稿して下さいました。ありがとう。
I volunteer to teach ikebana to seniors as part of the women’s group in the Nishigotanda Kyowa neighborhood association in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The main branch of Jonan Shinkin Bank is in our neighborhood, and with their support, we held an ikebana exhibition in their lobby.
Everyone was so focused and into it—it felt like being with a bunch of high school girls again! (^_^)
That day, even the current mayor of Shinagawa Ward , Ms Kyouko Morisawa ,took time out of her busy schedule to come see the flowers. She even posted about it on the Shinagawa City social media! Thank you.
カジュアルな英訳 例年恒例の桜のお花見で皆で行きました。この公園は八重桜という花弁が八重で色もショッキングピンクで私の大好きな種類の桜です。淡い色のソメイヨシノも好きですが、ソメイヨシノが終わってから咲く桜です。行く前に皆でスーパーマーケットに行き、食べたいお総菜を買って宴会です。今年は子供達も参加してくれてとても楽しい時を過ごしました。
We went to our annual cherry blossom picnic again this year. The park we visited has yaezakura—a type of cherry blossom with multiple layers of petals and a bright pink color, which I absolutely love. I also like the pale-colored Someiyoshino and when they are over the yaezakura bloom .
Before heading to the park, we all stopped by the supermarket to pick out our favorite deli foods and had a fun party under the trees. This year, some kids joined us too, which made it even more fun!
今年は2回程お茶会体験に皆さんと参加する機会がありました。1つは銀座の目抜き通りを歩行者天国にし各茶道流派がそれぞれの体験をさせてくれました。もう1つは知り合茶道教室の外国人クラスでした。皆さんご自分でお茶をたてる事は初体験でドキドキのようでしたが、楽しい時を過ごしました。
This year, we had two chances to join tea ceremonies together.
One was a big event held on the main street of Ginza, where the road was closed to traffic and different schools of tea ceremony offered hands-on experiences.
The other was a trial class for foreigners at a friend’s tea school.
For most of us, it was our first time making tea by ourselves, so we were a bit nervous—but it turned out to be a really fun experience!
年末も押し迫って来ました。これで2024年のクリスマスリースクラスは全て無事終了です。このクラスが終わると「あーもう年末、あっという間の一年だったわ」なんて毎年思ってしまいます。生徒さんとの楽しいお稽古をリースで締めくくります。1年間ありがとうございました。来年も色々な事をしましょうね。皆さんにとって来年が良い年でありますように。 で 次は おぉ～ 冬休みですね。何歳になっても休暇は嬉しいものですね (^◇^;)
The year is almost coming to an end, and with this, all the Christmas wreath classes for 2024 have wrapped up successfully. Every year, when this class ends, I always think, “Wow, it’s already the end of the year—it flew by so quickly!”
We’ve ended the year on a fun note, crafting wreaths with my wonderful students. Thank you all so much for a great year. Let’s try lots of new things together next year too! I hope 2025 will be a fantastic year for everyone.
And now… oh yes, it’s winter break time! No matter how old you get, a break is always something to look forward to! (*^_^*)
やはり⇩This is it (^◇^;)
ちょっとおしゃれに背景を変えてみました。(*^_^*) I added a touch of style by changing up the background a little (*^_^*)
いつもこーなってしまって。。。(^◇^;) It always ends up like this… (^◇^;)
A lesson at the embassy compound. It was the first time for everyone to make a wreath. Despite being new to taping, they managed it beautifully, and each piece turned out wonderfully. Such incredible focus! I wonder if they’re feeling a bit tired. (^◇^;) 大使館コンパウンドでのレッスン。皆さんリース作りは初めての方々。慣れないテーピングも上手にこなし、どの作品も素敵に仕上がりました。すごい集中力でした。お疲れになったかしら？？(^◇^;)
Artists
Aren’t they beautiful? Even though everyone used the same materials, each wreath turned out so unique and full of personality. For most of the students, it was their first time making a wreath. But they worked so hard and created such lovely pieces. Since all the materials are fresh, the scent of pine during the process was absolutely wonderful!
綺麗でしょう！皆さん同じは花材を使っているのにこんなに違った個性のリースが出来上がります。ほとんどの生徒さんはリース作りが初体験のようでした。でも頑張ってこんなに素敵な作品が仕上がりました。すべて生の素材を使っているので、制作中のモミの香りは格別なのですよ。
Lunch break, those are so yummy~ (*^_^*)
Artists
今年は2回茶道に触れる機会がありました。1回目は年に一回行われる銀座での会。2回目は外国の方を対象とした茶道体験クラスでした。1回目は銀座のメイン通りを歩行者天国にして沢山の茶道流派が合同主催するものでそれぞれの流派がそれぞれのお手前の体験を一般の人達に体験させて下さるイベントでした。知り合いの方に超えを掛けて頂きラッキーでした。生徒さん達も楽しい時を過ごしたようです。(*^_^*) 2回目は知り合いが主催する「外国の方々を対象とした茶道体験教室」の開講前のボランティア生徒体験でした。ここでも一人一人が自分でお茶をたてる経験をしました。お味は？ うふふ ですね(^◇^;)
This year,we had two opportunities to experience the tea ceremony. The first was an annual event held in Ginza, and the second was a tea ceremony experience class aimed at foreigners.
The first event was a large-scale collaboration hosted by various tea ceremony schools, where Ginza’s main street was turned into a pedestrian-only area. Each school showcased their unique style and allowed the public to experience their tea preparation techniques. I was lucky enough to be invited by an acquaintance, and my students also seemed to enjoy their time there! (*^_^*)
The second opportunity was a volunteer trial class for students before the official opening of a tea ceremony experience class for foreigners, hosted by my friend. Here, everyone had the chance to prepare their own tea. How did it taste? Well… let’s just say it was quite amusing! (*^_^*)
It’s that time of year again for Christmas wreath classes! The first class of 2024 was a volunteer session for a senior group. Everyone seemed to have such a great time, and I really enjoyed teaching as well! They are so so so good!!
クリスマスリースクラスの時期になりました。2024年の最初はシニアグループ対象のボランティアクラスでした。皆さんとても楽しそうで、教えている私も楽しかった(*^_^*) 皆さんすっごぉ～くお上手でしょ。
今年もハロウィンクラスが無事終了(*^_^*) どの作品も素敵に仕上がりました。
The Halloween classes successfully completed. (*^_^*) All the works were beautifully finished.
2025年５月２５日 ２回目の町内会からのリクエストで街中フリマに参加しました。生徒に去年同様「花材費は先生持ち、ミニアレンジを作るのは生徒、誰の作品が売り上げトップかを競う、収益が上がればパーティー費用にする」と伝え参加をつのりました。(^_^; 今年は私の最年少生徒の１１才の女の子や生徒さんの子供達は参加でとても楽しい一日でした。最後は子供チームにお任せで盛況でした。収益は？ ￥1280でした (^◇^;)
On May 25, 2025, we participated in the city flea market for the second time at the request of the neighborhood association. Just like last year, I told my students that 「 I would cover the cost of the materials, they would create mini-flower arrangements, we would compete to see whose work sold the most, and any profits would go toward party expenses」(^_^;
This year, my youngest student, an 11-year-old girl, and other students’ children also participated, making it a very enjoyable day. In the end, we left it to the kids’ team, and it was a great success. The total profit? It was ¥1280. (^◇^;)
Bearutiful works！！ 素敵な作品！！
Artists アーティスト達
勿論いつものランチ・アンダーザ・サン(^o^) Under the sun lunch , as usual (^o^)
2024年4月27日 お稽古の後皆で八重桜ばかりが植栽されている桜公園にピクニックに行きました。
駅前のお店で各自食べてみたいお総菜、飲み物、デザートをそれぞれ1－2品選びました。日本の食べ物が珍しい方もそうでない方も皆でシェアして食べまーす。結果スーパーの籠2杯になりました。(^_^; それから近くの公園まで歩いて。この公園はソメイヨシノ桜が咲き終わった頃に開花する八重桜のみが植栽されている公園なの。八重桜は花びらが幾重にも重なっていて、その色も濃く私の大好きな桜です。この桜が終わると東京の桜は終わりなのね。楽しい一時でしたぁ(^o^)
On April 27, 2024, after our lesson, we all went for a picnic to a cherry blossom park where only double-flowered cherry blossoms are planted.
At the shops near the station, everyone picked out one or two items of deli food, drinks, and desserts they wanted to try. Whether Japanese food was unusual or not, we all shared and enjoyed it together. As a result, we ended up with two baskets full from the supermarket! (^_^;) Then we walked to the nearby park.
This park is planted only with double-flowered cherry blossoms that bloom around the time when the Somei Yoshino cherry blossoms （very common pale pink sakura everywhere)have finished flowering. Double-flowered cherry blossoms have layers of petals, and their colors are rich, making them my favorite type of cherry blossom. When these cherry blossoms finish blooming, it means the cherry blossom season in Tokyo is over. It was a fun day (^o^)
On April 14, 2024, I went on a one-night trip to Atami Onsen with my ikebana students. It was just a 37-minute bullet train ride, but while waiting for the train, we made our customary stop at the convenience store to buy drinks for a toast. (^o^) By the time we finished our drinks, we arrived in Atami. We enjoyed foot baths⇨⇨ had a hearty lunch & “Cheers”⇨⇨ took the shortest cable car（in Japan) ride to Atami Castle, visited the castle and the Trick Art Museum⇨⇨ had dinner at the hotel with another toast⇨⇨ thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor hot spring bath. It was such a fun trip(^o^)
2024/4/14に生け花生徒さん達を熱海温泉に1泊旅行に行って来ました。たった37分の新幹線の旅でしたが、電車が来るまでの待ち時間に、恒例のコンビニお買い物で乾杯材料を購入。飲み終えた頃熱海到着⇨⇨足湯体⇨⇨熱海ランチで又乾杯⇨⇨熱海城まで日本一短いケーブルカ移動移動⇨⇨熱海城とトリックアートミュージアム見学⇨⇨ホテルで夕食で又乾杯⇨⇨露天風呂満喫 とういう感じの楽しい旅でした(^o^)
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