Soho Sakai, RIJI Sogetsu School Ikebana Master

Soho Sakai, a native of Japan, began practicing the ancient Japanese art and discipline of Ikebana in 1957 in Kumamoto, Japan. She received her Teachers Diploma from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in 1961 just prior to coming to the United States. 

What started as bridal training turned into a deep passion and immersive way of life. Soho holds the prestigious title of RIJI, the highest teaching rank of the Sogetsu School. She is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and also has received teaching credentials from UC Berkeley Extension, California Community College and California Adult College. She has been teaching students in California schools for over 41 years. 

Soho is the recipient of the most prestigious awards to be given from all over the world, including the Sogetsu Encouragement Award for 3 years from Headmaster Akane Teshigahara, Sogetsu School, Tokyo, Japan. Her demand as a demonstrator takes her across the US to national symposiums, garden clubs and major museums including the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, where she was an exhibitor and/or program presenter at Bouquets to Art starting from the inception. 

Founding the Soho Study group in 1977, Soho bases her teacher-student relationship on friendship first, followed by appreciation, cooperation and mutual understanding of Ikebana. 

She creates a relaxed atmosphere in her classes and thus gently encourages each student to express their uniquely personal, and often hidden, artistic vision. Through her genuine affection and respect for flowers and plants, she strives to reveal the beauty, dignity and human essence of Ikebana. Soho says: “I am very lucky; I love people, flowers, nature and what I am doing!” 

The SFGC says: “We are very lucky; we love Soho, flowers, nature and what SHE is doing!”