Master of Japanese flower arrangement
As soon as she started living in Tokyo, she devoted herself to studying Ikebana, a Japanese flower arrangement, at the same time as her main work as a teacher in the US base. She received the Shihan teaching certificate from several schools, including Ikenobo and Misho Ryu. Moreover, she wrote these studies in the books she planned to publish.
She worked diligently and assiduously studying this art from classical to modern style. In addition, she also studied Japanese history, Shintoism, Buddhism, and other Japanese cultures to understand this art deeply and its philosophy. She had the ambition to share it with the young people by establishing an international flower arrangement school in Texas when she returned.
Receiving certificate from Ko Ryu school
She received Shihan, a Master's Degree certificate, from Mrs. Wakabayashi, the Ikebana Master of the Ko Ryu School.
Receiving certificate from Shofu school
She received Shihan, a Master's Degree certificate, from Jyosui Oshikawa, Ikebana Master of the Shofu School.
Receiving an Ikebana certificate
With enormous energy and passionate feelings for flower arrangement, once she obtained a master’s degree in one school, she desired to learn different flower arrangement styles. She also had a dream to establish a flower arrangement school when she went back to her hometown.
Rikka certificate from Ikenobo school
She had the great privilege of being able to study Rikka (the oldest temple altar arrangement) under the great master Shoukei Tsukamono in 1958.
On December 24, 1959, Sen Ei IKenobo gave Mrs. Chandler a Rikka teacher's Certificate. She was the only foreign person in the world to receive certificates from Mr. Tsukamoto at that time.
1st grade professor certificate
Ikenobo is the oldest and largest school of the Ikebana flower arrangement in Japan. She received the certificate of the 1st-grade professor in the Ikenobo Floral art on June 19, 1963.
Mrs. Chandler with flower arrangement
She is looking at a flower arrangement. Her several titles hanging on the wall behind;
-Ko Ryu Ikebana Kyoju (teacher)
-Sougetsu Ryu
-Hosokawa Ryu Bonseki Kyoju (teacher)
-Chi Ko Ryu Seika/Kado Kyoju (teacher)
Teaching flower arrangement to a student
Intensely interested in the floral art of Japan, she has received diploma (instructor) from several major schools and taught to the students. To deepen her knowledge, she also studied Far Eastern History, Shintoism, and Zen Buddhism.
Teaching flower arrangement to students
Mrs. Chandler started to study Japanese flower arrangement under Mrs. Kobayashi at Ikenobo school in January 1958. She studied it with zeal and passion, and she was given the professional name, Seifu Sui Koin, and received a diploma of Sei-Kyoju (master) in five years as the result of her strenuous effort.
Hakata Ryu Japanese Floral art
Hakata Ryu is the flower arrangement art style founded by Mrs. Chandler. It combines the skillfully created Japanese Hakata dolls with flower arrangements such as Scenic Art, Floral art, and Bonseki.
While in Japan, she immersed herself in the practice of Ikebana, a Japanese flower arrangement, studied at several leading schools, and received teacher's degrees. One day, when completing a scenic floral art arrangement, Bonseki, placed it on a table near a Hakata doll of a fisherman. Instantly, the scene pops up, and her idea is born.
By placing the beautiful Hakata dolls in appropriate settings, she could represent three-dimensional storybook art, in which dolls come alive in flower arrangements. The exquisite Hakata dolls, blended with the delicate and beautiful floral arrangements, may assuredly serve as a means of learning through exhibits portraying significant phases of history, its people and events, great literature of the ages, music, art, and even science. She created all works based on her dedicated research about history and culture.
She believed that could serve as a means to bridge interests and understand the culture of many countries. She has done numerous exhibits throughout the Tokyo area and many other places in Japan. In addition, she taught it at the Yoyogi School in Washington Heights, Tokyo.
Research tree of Japanese flower arrangement
Her research of Ikebana schools, which is Japanese flower arrangement styles. It is said there are more than 300 schools in Japan, she learned it at major 9 schools.
Mrs. Chandler with her artwork -Hakata Ryu
Shotoku Taishi (Prince Shotoku) and a five-story pagoda in Horyuji temple are placed with a flower arrangement. He is one of the most famous historic figures in Japan, who established the court system and created the seventeen-article constitution.
Mrs. Chandler with her artwork-Hakata Ryu
Combination of Hannya mask of Noh play and flower arrangement. Noh is the oldest performing art in Japan, with dance and music. She enjoyed creating new art forms, Hakata Ryu, to introduce Japanese culture.
Appreciation letter
She received many appreciation letters from guests after she had cultural programs. They enjoyed Japanese culture and history lessons through the beautiful Hakata Ryu floral arrangement. To provide a deep understanding and good international relationships was the purpose of Hakata Ryu.
