Why do I share my story? Every ikebana journey is different, but they all share a common thread—discovery, creativity, and connection. In this series, I share my personal path in ikebana, from my first encounter to the lessons I’ve learned over the years. My hope is to inspire you to explore your own ikebana story and, if you're a teacher, to share yours with your students. Ikebana grows when we share it—let’s grow together.
35 Years of Ikebana Practice
The title suggests just one milestone, but this year is brimming with reasons to reflect and rejoice! It marks not only 35 years of practicing ikebana (something my younger self never imagined while learning to work with unruly branches), but also:
10 years of videos and newsletters (a decade of talking to cameras and you, lovely subscribers).
25 years of building an ikebana business in Belgium (yes, I was here before smartphones and streaming!).

Why Share My Ikebana Journey With You?
This year, I’ll take you on a journey through these milestones, sharing the lessons, the missteps (yes, there were many), and the triumphs. You might think, “Shouldn’t a business keep its secrets? Isn’t it bad form to give away too much?” Well, here’s where I might get a bit philosophical.
The Goal: Respecting Nature
You see, ikebana isn’t just about flowers and vases. It’s about fostering a profound respect for nature—a respect the world desperately needs. That’s why I consider myself a “quiet activist.”
"My mission is to inspire more people to try ikebana, to help teachers and aspiring teachers share this art far and wide."

Japanese wisdom teaches us that humanity must adapt to nature, not the other way around.
So, if sharing my journey and everything I’ve learned helps you pick up a branch and see the world differently, then I’m achieving my goal. (Also, sharing is far more rewarding than hoarding secrets—because what’s the point of keeping them all to myself?)
Stay Tuned
What can you expect? Stories from Japan, lessons learned along the way, and insights into how ikebana can shape a fulfilling life. Once, in the Sogetsu magazine, I shared my dream of proving you could earn a living with ikebana, even outside Japan. Well, I’m proud to say I’ve reached that goal, and now I want to share the journey with you. Perhaps you’ll find, like I did, that ikebana can open doors to earning a little extra income, or even a living.

Thank you so much Ilse for sharing your experience in Ikebana. I enjoyed reading all you’ve done in Japan and what you transmitted to Ikebana loving friends.
Will be happy to read your next newsletters.
All the best,
Christiane