On Thursday, May 28, Ikebana Ikenobo Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo visited Houston in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Ikenobo Society of Houston and gave a live demonstration at the Post Oak Hilton Hotel.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Houston Mayor Annise Parker both issued proclamations which praised the Ikenobo Society of Texas’ activities to promote the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. Mayor Parker announced that May 28th, 2015 was “Sen’ei Ikenobo Day”.
During dinner, Consul General Nozomu Takaoka welcomed Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo, Managing Director of Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America Nobu Kurashige who was visiting from San Francisco, and several other guests who had traveled to Houston for the occasion. He then expressed his admiration for the Ikenobo Society of Texas for their dedication to promoting the art of Ikebana and ended by wishing the Society much success in the years to come (link). Headmaster Ikenobo said in his remarks that it is always a pleasure to visit Houston every five years as the Texas chapter is very important. He also recognized chapter members such as Texas chapter President LaVerl Daily, immediate past President Yoshiko Smith, and former President Nanako Tingleaf, for their hard work and contribution to the Ikenobo community in Texas.
During the banquet, Headmaster Sen'ei Ikenobo presented the Longevity Award to Ms. Daily and Ikenobo Award of Merit to Ms. Smith and Ms. Tingleaf. |
