Kyoto's Largest Ikebana Event: Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition 2024

Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition: The Largest Ikebana Event of the Year

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The Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition is the largest and oldest ikebana exhibition, continuously held since the Edo period (17th century).

In 2024, the Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition will be held November 13 - 18 at two venues in the Ikenobo Headquarters Building and the Kyoto Daimaru Department Store.

This year's theme is "Flowers, Lives, Future" and the event will showcase around 900 ikebana arrangements by ikebana artists from all around Japan, including large-scale works by Ikenobo Sen'ei, the 45th Headmaster of the Ikenobo Schoool, Ikenobo Senko, the Headmaster Designate, and Ikenobo Senshu, the Leader of the Ikenobo Youth Association.

Read on to learn the highlights of the event, schedule, and venue information.

The Cultural Background of the Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition

Since the Heian period (794-1185), various events have been held at the imperial court on Tanabata, the Star Festival, some of which involved displays of ikebana arrangements.

In the early Edo period (1603-1868), Emperor Go-Mizuno hosted grand Tachibana ceremonies in the court, during which the 32nd head of the Ikebana school, Ikenobo Senko II, was invited to provide guidance on flower arrangement.

Later, with special permission from Emperor Go-Mizuno, the Ikenobo school began to hold Tanabata ikebana exhibitions, which became a famous annual event in Kyoto. The Ikenobo School continues to carry on this tradition as the largest and oldest flower exhibition in modern times.

Japan will host the Osaka Expo 2025, a highly anticipated world exhibition with the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives."

The Ikenobo School has drawn inspiration from this concept for its autumn ikebana exhibition, titled "Flowers, Lives, Future." This theme reflects a hope that, through the beauty of flowers, people will connect with the true richness of their hearts in an age saturated with information.

Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition 2024: Schedule and Venues

The Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition will be held from November 13 to November 18, 2024. The ikebana works on display will change every two days.

The two venues are the Ikebana Dojo within the Ikenobo Headquarters Building and the Daimaru Museum on the 6th floor of Kyoto Daimaru. Please find the details of each venue below.

Daimaru Museum

Exhibition dates: 13 - 18 November, 2024
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (*the venue closes at 17:00 on Nov. 14 and 16, and at 16:00 on Nov. 18)
Venue: Daimaru Museum, 6th floor of Kyoto Daimaru Department Store Map

Ikenobo Headquarters Building

Exhibition dates: 15 - 18 November, 2024
Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
Venue: Ikebana Dojo, 4F to 8F of Ikenobo Headquarters Building Map

Ticket Information

Tickets are priced at 1,000 yen and can be purchased on the same day at either venue. One ticket grants access to both locations.

Admission is free for high school students and younger attendees.

Official website: Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition 2024

Highlights of the Ikenobo Tanabata Autumn Exhibition

Daimaru Venue

The large displays by Ikenobo Sen'ei, Senko, and Senshu are the main highlight of the event and are exclusive to this exhibition.

Ikebana works by artists from all around Japan will be on display, showcasing the philosophy of life represented by Ikenobo through rikka (standing flowers), shoka (arranged flowers), and free-style flower arrangements.

Ikebana works will be on display throughout the entire venue: in the basement, front windows, and on each floor. Enjoy the rich world of ikebana through seasonal flowers.

Ikenobo Headquarters Building Venue

In addition to works by Ikenobo Sen'ei, Senko, and Senshu, the exhibition will feature pieces by the faculty and Ikenobo practitioners. Look forward to collection of exquisite ikebana arrangements!

Works taking part in the national ikebana competition for high school students will also be featured. Also, the Ikebana Museum will hold a special exhibition of documents related to the history of ikebana.

Other Events

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The Nihon Kadosha ikebana supply shop on the 8th floor of the Ikenobo Headquarters Building will hold a special sale and campaign during the exhibition. In addition to a variety of vases, the shop will also introduce new vases and new books.

Relish Ikebana in Kyoto

We hope you'll be able to visit this major event in the ikebana world in Kyoto and rediscover the beauty of flowers through an art with a rich history.

The main image is just for illustration purposes.