What is Ikebana International?
Ikebana International is a cultural nonprofit organization dedicated to the cultivation and perpetuation of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, throughout the world. Its international headquarters is in Tokyo, Japan, and there are 165 chartered chapters in over 50 countries with 8,500 members worldwide. Ikebana International was founded in 1956 by Ellen Gordon Allen to promote friendship among the peoples of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of ikebana. The Washington, D.C., chapter was the first to be chartered by Tokyo headquarters. It has over 250 members who exhibit, demonstrate, and teach ikebana throughout the metropolitan D.C. area. For information see “additional resources” at the bottom of this page. (at left: Ellen Gordon Allen, the founder of Ikebana International) How is Ikebana International connected to the National Arboretum? Ikebana International (I.I.) and the U.S. National Arboretum have a longstanding, continuing relationship. I
