On this day, the class was divided into beginners who had never done a rikka arrangement and experienced participants. Jeanne Sensei started with a review of the nine basic yakueda (branches) and drew a diagram illustrating which branches were placed in the upper, middle, and lower sections of the arrangement. Creating an arrangement of these 9 basic yakueda was the beginners’ assignment.
The more experienced participants were directed to the Step 3 book of the Rikka Introductory Curriculum. Sensei Jeanne gave detailed instructions for a Kikusa Sashimaze Rikka using kimono (woody materials) and kusamono (grassy materials). Placement of several of the basic yakueda depends on whether they are kimono or kusamono. Fortunately, Sensei Jeanne had already created one of these arrangements, so students could study and follow her example.
Then it was off to work creating arrangements…either basic or advanced. And as Sensei Jeanne emphasized over and over again…PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Spend time at home PRACTICING your rikka. You WILL become better at it.
Bev Tall
Jeanne Holy
Jeanne Holy
Lauren Toth
Linnéa Storm
Michele Nguyen
Shibani Sangelkar
Susan Quinn
Wanda LaLoggia
Yuki Kataoka
