Finding the Love of Your Life
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Ikebana containers are like relationships. You have to date a lot of containers before you meet “the one.” Have you ever met a vase that stops your heart for a moment? Have you happened upon that magical vessel you want to take home and introduce to your family as the last container you will EVER buy?
What happens if that container belongs to someone else? This is the story of such a vase and its beautiful legacy. |
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Container purchased by Mary Sugiyama
Mary Sugiyama purchased a container many many years ago from the Sogetsu Monozukuri Shop. It is a breathtaking example of the work of their takumi (craftsmen). The container's beauty reflects the skill and passion takumi have for their work. I can imagine how Mary felt when she first beheld the container. Breathless. I’ve heard that she loved it dearly. After many happy years of arranging, Mary became too frail to arrange. She gifted the container to her friend and student, Jean Benson.
Mary Sugiyama purchased a container many many years ago from the Sogetsu Monozukuri Shop. It is a breathtaking example of the work of their takumi (craftsmen). The container's beauty reflects the skill and passion takumi have for their work. I can imagine how Mary felt when she first beheld the container. Breathless. I’ve heard that she loved it dearly. After many happy years of arranging, Mary became too frail to arrange. She gifted the container to her friend and student, Jean Benson.
Bequeathed to Jean Benson
Jean Benson was in her 80’s when I met her. She and I commandeered the back row at ikebana meetings in an effort to avoid being volunteered. Jean was energetic, swung a whip-like sense of humor and was a supremely gifted sensei. She made Mary’s vase sing. Under her hand the container exploded with life. When she also became too infirm to arrange, she gifted the vessel to her student and lifelong friend Alice Hartman.
Jean Benson was in her 80’s when I met her. She and I commandeered the back row at ikebana meetings in an effort to avoid being volunteered. Jean was energetic, swung a whip-like sense of humor and was a supremely gifted sensei. She made Mary’s vase sing. Under her hand the container exploded with life. When she also became too infirm to arrange, she gifted the vessel to her student and lifelong friend Alice Hartman.
Inherited by Alice Hartman
Alice Hartman is the soul of Ikebana International Harrisburg Chapter #18. At age 88, she is our president (4th time!). Alice has made Mary’s vase her own. Her strong “oeuver” is born from a career as an interior designer. Alice often collaborates with her friend Jane Smigel on the vase. I love to watch them shoulder to shoulder drop like ballerinas into a slight plie to get the perfect view of their work. The beauty of their friendship often eclipses their art.
Last autumn Alice moved into a lovely assisted living community. She donated her containers to the Chapter. We couldn’t imagine selling the Monozukuri container. It had been at every exhibition in Harrisburg for at least 15 years. On exhibition day May 1, 2022, Jane was unable to exhibit. Alice exhibited a smaller arrangement with the assistance of her health aide (who she is trying to recruit to ikebana with a vengeance). Mary’s vase stood in the center of the exhibition, empty.
Alice Hartman is the soul of Ikebana International Harrisburg Chapter #18. At age 88, she is our president (4th time!). Alice has made Mary’s vase her own. Her strong “oeuver” is born from a career as an interior designer. Alice often collaborates with her friend Jane Smigel on the vase. I love to watch them shoulder to shoulder drop like ballerinas into a slight plie to get the perfect view of their work. The beauty of their friendship often eclipses their art.
Last autumn Alice moved into a lovely assisted living community. She donated her containers to the Chapter. We couldn’t imagine selling the Monozukuri container. It had been at every exhibition in Harrisburg for at least 15 years. On exhibition day May 1, 2022, Jane was unable to exhibit. Alice exhibited a smaller arrangement with the assistance of her health aide (who she is trying to recruit to ikebana with a vengeance). Mary’s vase stood in the center of the exhibition, empty.
Sheila Advani does the Honors
A familiar face entered the room and three generations of learning and friendship coalesced before me. It was Sheila Advani, the Wonder Woman of Sogetsu! Sheila was a Member of I.I. Chapter #1 with Mary Sugiyama, a friend of Jean Benson in Baltimore and now sensei to Alice Hartman and Jane Smigel after Jean’s passing. We asked Sheila to do us the honor of arranging with the container. A member offered Sheila dogwood. I thought, how appropriate, dogwood symbolizes friendship!
The elegant result honored the work of the takumi and elevated simple dogwood to a stunning crescendo. The arrangement celebrated the friendship of five amazing women and validated something I have always felt in my heart. We imbue our containers with our energy and spirituality and those who share in the legacy of a vase will forever feel our presence.
A familiar face entered the room and three generations of learning and friendship coalesced before me. It was Sheila Advani, the Wonder Woman of Sogetsu! Sheila was a Member of I.I. Chapter #1 with Mary Sugiyama, a friend of Jean Benson in Baltimore and now sensei to Alice Hartman and Jane Smigel after Jean’s passing. We asked Sheila to do us the honor of arranging with the container. A member offered Sheila dogwood. I thought, how appropriate, dogwood symbolizes friendship!
The elegant result honored the work of the takumi and elevated simple dogwood to a stunning crescendo. The arrangement celebrated the friendship of five amazing women and validated something I have always felt in my heart. We imbue our containers with our energy and spirituality and those who share in the legacy of a vase will forever feel our presence.
Share your Legacy Story
If you would like to share a story of legacy, please send me a picture of the ikebana container and its provenance. We would love to share it on the Ikebana Iwaya website. In I.I. Harrisburg, PA Chapter #18, if you bring a vase to sell we ask you to write the provenance on the bottom of the vase or on a slip of paper to insert in the container. It is a treasured gift to the new owner!
If you would like to share a story of legacy, please send me a picture of the ikebana container and its provenance. We would love to share it on the Ikebana Iwaya website. In I.I. Harrisburg, PA Chapter #18, if you bring a vase to sell we ask you to write the provenance on the bottom of the vase or on a slip of paper to insert in the container. It is a treasured gift to the new owner!
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