Three inspiring days of flowers, friendship, and focus — participants in the Southeastern U.S. Ohara Chapter Fall Seminar studied with Sub-Grandmaster José Salcedo in Arlington, Virginia, exploring styles from Traditional Moribana to Free-Style Heika.
Twice each year, Ohara teachers and students across the Southeastern U.S. gather for several days of study, design, and camaraderie. This year’s Southeastern U.S. Ohara Chapter Fall Seminar was held in Arlington, Virginia, from November 6–8, 2025, drawing 21 participants from multiple states.
The seminar was taught by José Salcedo Sensei, Sub-Grandmaster of the Ohara School, who traveled from California to lead the Sessions. Participants were divided into two groups based on certificate level. Group A included advanced students (Third Term Master and above), while Group B included students from Introductory through Fourth Term Master. So José Sensei would give two lessons in the morning (one for each Group), critique everyone, we would have lunch, and then he would teach 2 more lessons (again, one for each Group) and critique everyone.
Over three days, we created arrangements across a wide range of styles and techniques. Here are the Group A lessons:
Each lesson challenged us to balance precision with expression. I was particularly inspired by the Moribana Traditional Method, here Nandina berries seemed to glow against late-autumn leaves, reminding me how seasonal beauty emerges through restraint.
José Sensei encouraged us to look beyond mechanics and see how line, space, and movement tell a story. During critique, he always explained why he was making changes, so we could understand what he saw and how to improve our work in the future.
By Saturday afternoon, we moved into Heika Free Style, combining technique with intuition that comes with years of experience with Ohara foundational concepts. The tall-vase work pushed me to consider proportion in a vertical space, and I found myself adjusting angles until the arrangement finally “breathed.”
Beyond the classroom, the seminar offered time to reconnect with friends from across the region, swapping stories, sharing materials, and admiring the unique interpretations of each style. The Southeastern U.S. Ohara Chapter, led by a dedicated volunteer board, continues to make these gatherings both educational and welcoming.
Joe Rotella
Associate Second Term Master
Ohara School of Ikebana
Joe Rotella
Associate Second Term Master
Ohara School of Ikebana
