Sogetsu Mercer Island Branch is very active in Ikebana events.  Shows, displays, and demonstrations of Ikebana are presented through out the year at a variety of venues. 
These include:
     Northwest Flower & Garden Show at Seattle Convention Center in February
     Branch Annual Exhibition at Mercer Island Community Center in March
     Cherry Blossom Festival at Seattle Center in April
     Ikebana International Annual Exhibition at Seattle Asian Art Museum in May
     Aki Matsuri at Bellevue College in September
     Gallery Flowalk in Pioneer Square in October
 

Brief history of SOGETSU Mercer Island Branch

The branch was introduced beginning with the opening of the Sogetsu classes by Mrs. Mitsuko Hakomori at the Mercer Island Community Center in 1983.  The Sogetsu Study Group was established in 1990 and Mrs. Hakomori was appointed as Chairman by Iemoto Hiroshi Teshigahara.  We were granted Branch status in March 2001 and the Charter was signed by Iemoto Hiroshi Teshigahara just prior to his passing away.  Mrs. Hakomori was appointed as Director.  The branch has 33 active members including 20 with teacher's diplomas.

Biography of our branch director

Sensei Hakomori is the Directress and founder of the Mercer Island Sogetsu Branch.  For over 25 years she has taught ikebana on Mercer Island.  She holds the teacher rank of Rigi which is the highest in the Sogetsu School.  She has exhibited and demonstrated at various venues including Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival, Pioneer Square First Thursday Gallery Walk, Mercer Island Sogetsu Annual Show, Ikebana International Seattle Chapter 19 Annual Exhibitions, Ikebana International North American Regional Conventions, Ikebana International World Convention -Tokyo,Japan, Bellevue Square Japanese Festival, Foster White Gallery.  Previously, she demonstrated at the Massachusetts Womens Hospital and exhibited at locales in that area.  Sensei Hakomori, born in Sendai Japan, learned Sogetsu ikebana from her mother.  She received her teaching certificate at age 18 and assisted in teaching ikebana at Sendai Girls High School. Her flower name, Kohen, translates to Rainbow Garden.
 

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