Sessa Takuma
切磋琢磨
“Polish stone to bring out natural beauty” Ikenobo Grand Exhibition
On a beautiful sunny fall weekend with the leaves turning yellow; the Ikenobo Colorado Chapter celebrated the Japanese yojijukugo (idiom) Sessa Takuma where one interpretation is to “improve by polishing (interacting with) each other to bring out your natural beauty and encourage each other”. From October 3 to 5, 2025 the entire Colorado Community was invited to partake in over 62 beautiful Ikenobo arrangements to learn and grow through the sharing of inspirational ideas and peaceful interactions. The splendid floral creations which included many Rikka, Shimputai, Shoka, Tatehana, Jiyuka and Sunanomono were displayed with Edo period scrolls (kakejiku) to highlight the season. Over 3,700 people came to the Exhibition and we were honored that the Governor of the State of Colorado attended to admire the arrangements. An audience of 191 people participated in a special demonstration of Ikenobo arrangement styles throughout history.
With the great help of the Ikenobo International Division, the Colorado Chapter sponsored the movie screening of the Hana Ikusa Movie (Flower and Sword, 花戦さ) with English Subtitles on October 3 and October 5, 2025. The Boulder Library District requested that the Colorado Chapter President (who was in Kyoto in 2016 during the making of the “sand thing”) give a pre-screening lecture on the creation of the Grand Sunanomono at the Maeda (前田氏) Villa for the movie by Ikenobo. The total audience attendance of over 466 people were fascinated by the entire process of making one of the largest Sunanomono in history. In addition, audiences were overcome by the story of the Hana Ikusa movie and learned a great deal about the genius of Senko Ikenobo. It was the great pleasure of the Ikenobo Colorado Chapter to bring this profound Japanese cultural event to the people of Colorado.
