Check out our tracker to see the Garden transform into the reds and golds of autumn.
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, has been translated as “living flowers” or “giving life to flowers.” Join us for an ikebana presentation by Carolyn Alter from the Ohara School of Ikebana in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Arts Learning Center.
This demonstration is featured as part of Impressions of Autumn Ikebana Exhibition taking place in the Yanai Classroom.
The Ohara School of Ikebana is noted for developing the moribana style. This broke with the more traditional and formal vertical styles, creating new horizontal arrangements, with flowers “heaped” (moru) in lower plate-like containers. The selection and arrangement of seasonal materials genuinely allows the ikebana devotee to connect with and reflect nature’s beauty.
Carolyn Alter began studying in the Ohara School of Ikebana under Sensei Kitty (Natsue) Akre in 1993. She began teaching weekly classes and founded Wednesday’s Flowers in 2012. She is a long-time member of Portland Japanese Garden, Ikebana International and the North American Ohara Teachers Association.
She has attended numerous ikebana conferences in the US and taken classes in Japan, chaired many exhibitions, given numerous demonstrations, and is certified as an Associate First Term Master of the Ohara School of Ikebana. She is also the Head Teacher and Treasurer of the Oregon Chapter of the Ohara School. As a physical therapist for more than thirty years, she appreciates the healing aspects of nature through practicing ikebana. She loves being outdoors, gardening, and the beauty of Japanese culture.
October 17, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Over this October weekend, you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty of both fall in the Garden and ikebana arrangements in the Yanai Classroom in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Learning Arts Center.
October 18, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Over this October weekend, you’ll be able to appreciate the beauty of both fall in the Garden and ikebana arrangements in the Yanai Classroom in the Jordan Schnitzer Japanese Learning Arts Center.
Portland Japanese Garden would like to thank James F. and Marion L. The Miller Foundation and Toshiba International Foundation for their support of arts and culture programming.
