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UAE Cherry Blossom Ikebana workshop makes a comeback 3 years in a row

Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. (ANJ Photo)
Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. (ANJ Photo)
Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. (ANJ Photo)
Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. (ANJ Photo)
Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. (ANJ Photo)
Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. (ANJ Photo)
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21 Mar 2021 09:03:59 GMT9
21 Mar 2021 09:03:59 GMT9

Diana Farah

DUBAI: The Ohara School of Ikebana conducted a cherry blossom themed Ikebana class on March 20 in Dubai.

Ikebana professor Harue Oki conducted the class and taught all those attending the art and practice of Japanese flower arranging with the seasonal cherry blossoms.

“In Ikebana, we try to use the materials about 2 months before the natural blooming time,” Oki told Arab News Japan. “The reason is nothing is more precious and beautiful than the natural blooming flowers so we pay the respect for the nature.”

She said Sakura starts to circulate in the market from January, and this year they imported the pink plant three times since the beginning of the year.

Due to popular demand, the cherry blossom class has been conducted every year since 2019. Around ten people attended this year’s workshop, with COVID-19 safety measures in place, such as social distancing and face masks.

At the beginning of the class, Oki gave a short explanation and history on the art of Ikebana, with a special lesson on the popular cherry blossom flower.

“Perhaps due to global warming effect, the natural blooming of Sakura is getting earlier and earlier. For a long time the first Sakura blooming in Tokyo area was end of March, but now it’s getting closer to mid-March,” she said.

Attendees included UAE citizens and residents, most of whom have a passion for Japanese culture and an interest in the art of Ikebana.

UAE citizen Maysoune Ghobash, who attended the workshop, said she heard about Ikebana through a friend and had visited Japan four times.

“The practice is very simple yet complicated at the same time. It is a little complicated to understand if you are not from Japan,” she told Arab News Japan. Ghobash said it was her first time trying Ikebana and would enjoy trying it again.

Italian expat Erica also said it was her first time attending such a workshop, adding that she had heard about it through a friend.

“Once I searched for Ikebana online, the Ohara School of Ikebana immediately came up,” Erica said. “I am finding this workshop very relaxing and peaceful.”

Read more about last year’s cherry blossom session here.

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