Ogui (left) and Suiyo Fujimoto.

by KONAMI YODA
Hokubei Mainichi

OAKLAND — The atmosphere was festive at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant in Jack London Square on July 27, where a hundred well-wishers, including friends, students, and VIPs like the consul general of Japan in San Francisco all came out to celebrate a remarkable teacher of traditional Japanese flower arrangement.

The celebrants were there for ikebana master Suiyo Fujimoto, who has helped spread the beauty of ikebana for 55 years.

The special event was in honor of Fujimoto’s being appointed a lifetime honorary member of the Ohara-ryu (style) of ikebana.

Several items commemorating Fujimoto’s achievements were displayed, such as a plaque from the head Ohara-ryu school in Kobe and articles on her ikebana accomplishments.

Fujimoto began learning styles of ikebana including Ohara-ryu when she was a girl. In 1953, she received a nationally-recognized teaching certification and that same year, she came to the U.S. She began teaching ikebana all over California, including Los Angeles, Fresno, and San Francisco. Her dedication and energy have been remarkable. Until just two years ago, Fujimoto used to commute three hours one-way to Fresno once a month to teach ikebana.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Consul General Yasumasa Nagamine said, “I saw Fujimoto Sensei’s ikebana for the first time last year and I was so moved.” Expressing his hopes for further appreciation of this elegant traditional art in the Bay Area, Nagamine said, “I hope we can help ikebana continue to prosper.”

After establishment of the Northern California branch of Ohara-ryu, Fujimoto worked as secretary and accountant for the organization, after which she served as president for the next 30 years. She now serves as a consultant for current president Suiko Maruyama.

Fujimoto expressed gratitude to all the people who supported her through the years, saying, “It isn’t just my name that is carved on the iemoto (head master) wall in Kobe. I think of it as all the names of the Northern California chapter.”

The ikebana sensei made the crowd laugh about her name being carved in stone, saying, “Seeing my name like this, it’s like they’re saying I’ve already got one foot in the grave!”

But she showed no signs of slowing down, saying of her future ikebana ambitions, “I plan to keep giving it my all while I’ve still got it.”

Fujimoto’s passion towards creating ikebana has been described as being rooted entirely in the moment.

“Giving it all in that instant to make it come together,” this has embodied her approach to ikebana.

This was symbolized in a gift from Bishop Koshin Ogui of Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), who presented her with an ink-drawn calligraphy piece.

On the piece Ogui had written, “Entrusting it all, at that time and in that place, then flowers blossom.”