Sofu Teshigahara
Encyclopedia
Sōfu Teshigahara (1900–1979) was the founder of the Sōgetsu
School of Ikebana
flower arranging.
Born in Tokyo
, he first learned flower arranging from his father who had studied many styles of the different schools. In 1926, at the age of 25, he started the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, believing that Ikebana is not merely decorating with flowers, it is an art, and that the great difference between the Sogetsu School and Ikebana lies in the belief that once all the rules are learned and the techniques mastered, there is an unbounded field for freer personal expression using varied materials, not just flowers.
Based on that, in 1930 he held his first solo exhibition in 1930 at the Josui Kaikan in Tokyo working with scrap metal
, a new medium. In 1949 the first major post-war Sogetsu exhibition was held at the Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Ginza
of Tokyo and proved to be revolutionary. Between 1950 and 1970, he held various exhibitions and demonstrations across Europe and the United States.
The French government awarded him the Order of Arts and Letters in 1960, and the Legion of Honor in 1961; and Japan bestowed the Minister of Education Awards for Art in 1962.
Sofu never deviated from the basic principles that distinguish Ikebana from other forms of floral art: to grasp and express the feeling of the material, to express the third dimension and asymmetrical balance. The concept that was foremost in his teaching was that the principles never change, but rather that the form is always changing. His further belief was that Ikebana should be considered art, not merely decoration and that it is for the entire world, not just Japan alone. In addition to Ikebana, he continued to create various sculptures, drawings and works of calligraphy until his death.
His son is the Japanese film director Hiroshi Teshigahara.
Sogetsu
Sogetsu is a school of Ikebana, or Japanese floral art.It was founded 1927 by Sofu Teshigahara....
School of Ikebana
Ikebana
is the Japanese art of flower arrangement, also known as .-Etymology:"Ikebana" is from the Japanese and . Possible translations include "giving life to flowers" and "arranging flowers".- Approach :...
flower arranging.
Born in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, he first learned flower arranging from his father who had studied many styles of the different schools. In 1926, at the age of 25, he started the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, believing that Ikebana is not merely decorating with flowers, it is an art, and that the great difference between the Sogetsu School and Ikebana lies in the belief that once all the rules are learned and the techniques mastered, there is an unbounded field for freer personal expression using varied materials, not just flowers.
Based on that, in 1930 he held his first solo exhibition in 1930 at the Josui Kaikan in Tokyo working with scrap metal
Scrap Metal
Scrap Metal were a band from Broome, Western Australia who played rock music with elements of country and reggae. The members had Aboriginal, Irish, Filipino, French, Chinese, Scottish, Indonesian and Japanese heritage. The band toured nationally as part of the Bran Nue Dae musical and with...
, a new medium. In 1949 the first major post-war Sogetsu exhibition was held at the Mitsukoshi Department Store in the Ginza
Ginza
is a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.It is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most...
of Tokyo and proved to be revolutionary. Between 1950 and 1970, he held various exhibitions and demonstrations across Europe and the United States.
The French government awarded him the Order of Arts and Letters in 1960, and the Legion of Honor in 1961; and Japan bestowed the Minister of Education Awards for Art in 1962.
Sofu never deviated from the basic principles that distinguish Ikebana from other forms of floral art: to grasp and express the feeling of the material, to express the third dimension and asymmetrical balance. The concept that was foremost in his teaching was that the principles never change, but rather that the form is always changing. His further belief was that Ikebana should be considered art, not merely decoration and that it is for the entire world, not just Japan alone. In addition to Ikebana, he continued to create various sculptures, drawings and works of calligraphy until his death.
His son is the Japanese film director Hiroshi Teshigahara.