About ANZ Sogetsu Teachers Association Inc.

History of Sogetsu School in Auckland

Ikebana and people are an encounter which evolves and builds with creativity and enthusiasm, giving joy to all who find the beauty of nature which is to share and, give life to the moment. Auckland Branch of the STA must give thanks to the people who started and, those who continue to develop their encounter with Ikebana of the Sogetsu School.

Exhibition Bomboo Installation, 2007Exhibition Bomboo Installation, 2007Most important in this history is Mrs. Elsie Lawrence who, on her return from Singapore to Auckland in 1962, where her love of flowers had further been stimulated by her first encounter with Sogetsu Ikebana, wanted to share her small amount of knowledge with everybody.

Later in 1967 Mr. Norman Sparnon visited Auckland to conduct a week of lessons for an excited group of ladies – this was truly a very stimulating experience for all present. At the end of the week Mr. Sparnon announced that everybody had attained their first certificate. Mr. Sparnon then introduced Mrs. Alice des Forges and explained that in order to continue their studies the ladies would have to travel to Taupiri (which was about one and a half hours south of Auckland) to Mrs.des Forges’ home. Mrs. des Forges had travelled to Mr. Sparnon in Sydney to attain her Teacher’s qualification and, this was continued by members for many years to attend Workshops.

Needless to say everybody wanted to achieve their second certificate, and, then their third and, so for many, many years groups of 4 or 5 ladies would load their cars once a week with containers, flowers, foliage, driftwood etc leaving Auckland about 8am and returning around 6pm.

After many miles of travel 13 ladies were presented with their Teachers’ Diplomas, enabling many of them to impart their knowledge and appreciation of Ikebana to students, some of whom also became teachers. As the qualified teachers numbered increased workshops were conducted in Auckland by Mrs. des Forges.

In 1972 authorisation was granted from the Iemoto to Mrs. Alice des Forges as Director of the New Zealand Branch. Auckland has been very fortunate to have Keiko Anderson and Takako Martin as Tutors of the monthly workshops to carry on the high standard of teaching introduced by Mr. Sparnon and Mrs. des Forges.

Many visiting Master Instructors from the Sogetsu School, tutors and very successful annual exhibitions have all contributed to the people of Auckland’s continuing awareness of Ikebana, and importantly, the encounters between Ikebana and people.