Sogetsu Soho Study Group
Sogetsu Soho Study Group

October 2007 Flower Show - Soho Study Group participants

A Brief History of Soho Study Group (SSG)

Soho Study Group, founded in 1997 by Soho Sakai, Riji, and her students, provides continuing study of Sogetsu School's curriculum and concepts. Soho Sakai, is a renowned master teacher and artist; her students number in the hundreds. Many of her students have graduated to become strong and devoted teachers of Sogetsu School

We host workshops for our members, and present flower shows, demonstrations and displays at various community locations. In October 2007, we presented a 2-day Sogetsu 80th Anniversary celebration at the Oakland Museum of California, Floral Sculptures in the Gardens of the Museum.

We are a dedicated group of individuals who continue our study of Japanese flower arranging with workshops and educational meetings. Geared to expanding the membership's knowledge and understanding of the principles of Sogetsu Ikebana, and encouraging their creativity and artistic abilities, the meetings offer an opportunity to exchange ideas and grow as Ikebana designers.

With over 200 current members, more than 80 of them teachers, Soho Study Group represents a significant force in the contemporary Bay Area Ikebana community.

Current Board members ('08-'10):

Sogetsu School History - See our Links page

Soho Study Group Teachers of Sogetsu Ikebana

Where they teach and how to contact them.

Yayoi "Soho" Sakai, Riji
Albany Community Center
The Carmel Garden Club, Carmel, City College of San Francisco
Orinda Community Center, Private lessons
(510) 234-5748, ikebanabysohosakai@att.net

Scott "Sochiku" Job, Komon
Private lessons & Group workshops, Crockett
(510) 882-1900, sochiku@gmail.com

June "Junpo" Matsuoka, Komon
Oldemeyer Center, Seaside
Private lessons, Campbell
(408) 377-3801, atwwilleyexpr@msn.com

Michiko "Seiei" Shimoda, Komon
City of Saratoga Recreation Center, Mountain View
Los Altos Adult School
Private Lessons, Saratoga
(408) 741-1763, www.michikoshimoda.com

Yoshiko "Hogetsu" Williams, Komon
Beresford Rec. Center, San Mateo, College of San Mateo,
San Mateo Garden Center
(650) 578-8767 - cell (650) 619-5878, hogetsu@hotmail.com

Charlene "Yohka" Yip, Jopin Somu
Private Lessons, Los Gatos
(408) 395-6803, yohkas@verizon.net

Annette "Hoto" Sullivan, Somu
Mill Valley Community Center
(415) 381-4151, Annettems@comcast.net

Janette "Socho" MacKinlay, Sanyo
Private & group lessons, Oakland
(510) 339-9358, janette@janettemackinlay.com

Sandra "Sochi" Holland, Third Grade
Lucid Art Foundation, Inverness
(415) 669-1631, Sochi@horizoncable.com

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