Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Ikebana International is holding its Ninth World Convention in Tokyo Oct. 27-30. Some 850 ikebana enthusiasts are participating.
Debbie Kopinski, president of Ikebana International New York Chapter, is a convention delegate as well as an exhibitor. She comes to Japan after an absence of six years since her last visit.
"Ikebana International," she said, "was founded to unite the peoples of the world through mutual love of nature and enjoyment of ikebana. I do love ikebana, and really feel that the motto 'friendship through flowers' is very powerful. I was able to do a small demonstration for a group called Sorosis, the oldest ladies' club in the U.S. So there was ikebana and classic New York, blossoming in friendship."