Japanese consulate hosts flower arrangement workshop

The Indus Sogetsu Study Group held an event at the Japan Culture Centre of the Japanese Consulate in Karachi to demonstrate unique and beautiful styles of flower arrangements on Tuesday.

Shaista Khawer, their visiting teacher from Lahore, taught women about 19 of her arrangements for flowers. Consul General of Japan Toshikazu Isomura was the chief guest. Shaista, who is a teacher of Sogetsu Ikebana, said that all creations presented at the event were her own. “I have designed the containers myself,” she said, adding that she used different material in her arrangements. There were fruits, papers, flowers, leaves, plastic, metal and unconventional material. “All of these are my original designs.”

She said Ikebana is Japanese art of flower arrangement. “I am certified from Japan,” she said. She pointed out that the artwork is very soothing, it provides calmness to the soul and one’s mind. “This artwork is also used as meditation,” she said, adding that one relaxes and gets good feelings with this artwork.

She explained that in this form of art, they discourage handmade birds’ placement. “We use artificial materials, but don’t use already plastic-made birds. We prefer to make it ourselves.” Nafisa Tapal, director of the Indus Sogetsu Study Group, said Shaista works with different materials, which is very good. “We have used our local plant material in the flower arrangements at this event.”