Emperor Go-Mizunoo, a central figure in Kan’ei Culture, also took a keen interest in ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement). He frequently hosted rikka gatherings (gatherings devoted to the formal art of flower arrangement) at the Imperial Court. In some years, he is said to have held as many as 30 such gatherings and even created floral arrangements himself.
This year’s Former Tanabata Gathering: Ikenobo National Ikebana Exhibition will feature a special display recreating the rikka arrangements of Ikenobo Senko II, who served as an instructor to Emperor Go-Mizunoo and is renowned for bringing the art of rikka to maturity. The display is presented as a collaborative project of the Kan’ei Gyoko 400th Anniversary Festival.
We invite you to discover an ikebana exhibition that is both “the oldest and the newest,” featuring the traditional rikka beloved by Emperor Go-Mizunoo, alongside shoka (a traditional style of ikebana) and jiyuka (free-style ikebana), with arrangements reflecting contemporary artistic sensibilities.
| Dates | November 11 (Wednesday) – November 16 (Monday), 2026. The Ikenobo venue will open on Friday, November 13. |
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| Venue | Ikenobo School of Ikebana. 248 Donomae-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8134. Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ※Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Daimaru Museum Kyoto |
| Admission | ¥1,000 (tax included). Free admission for high school students and younger. Advance tickets are available through Ticket Pia https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=2635761 |
| Organizers | Ikenobo Headquarters Office; Ikenobo Kadokai Foundation |
| Supported by | Kyoto Prefecture; Kyoto City; The Asahi Shimbun; The Mainichi Newspapers; The Yomiuri Shimbun; The Nikkei; The Sankei Shimbun; The Kyoto Shimbun |
| Inquiries | Ikenobo Kadokai Foundation, Ikebana Promotion Division. Tel: 075-231-4922 (Main Office). Email: katen@ikenobo.jp |
