Sway Gallery: 3rd-7th June 2019
Come and join us at our pop-up shop at Sway Gallery near Old Street from the 3rd to 7th June 2019!
Sway Gallery is open from 11am to 7pm every weekday and we will be having a late night on Thursday 6th for our discussion on the Beauty of Imperfection and Wabi-Sabi. We will of course have a wide selection of ceramics, lighting and lacquer for sale but we are also collaborating with Aoyama Flower Market to offer flower arranging and Bonkei making classes throughout the week!
Gallery Talk
The Japanese aesthetic concepts of Fukanzen no bi and Wabi-Sabi are central to our identity and also to our appreciation of our products and the Makers who make them. Fukanzen no bi is translated as the Beauty in Imperfection and we have started to define Wabi-Sabi here and here. We will talk through their origin and meaning and also how we strive to include these concepts in everything we do as Sansho. We will be joined by Miyazaki san who will also give his opinions from a flower-arranging / ikebana background. It promises to be a stimulating and lively evening.
Bonkei Arrangements
This is a rare chance to find out how to construct a miniature Bonkei garden: with just moss, stones and trees, you can create your own little world. Inspired by Aoyama Flower Market's philosophy of flowers for Every Day, we have taken an everyday Japanese household object and turned it into a beautiful miniature Bonkei garden. You too will be able to use everyday objects to create your own small slice of natural beauty.
The classes are an hour long and are taught by Miyazaki san, head florist at Aoyama Flower Market in Selfridges - tickets available here. He will take you through every stage and guide you throughout the process. Each class is only 5 people, so there will be plenty of time for one-on-one advice and for him to answer all the questions you have!
No need to bring a container of your own, we will provide one (one of our Large White Ohitsu) and all the materials (moss, trees, stones) you need. The containers are not included in the price but you can take the materials home to re-create your Bonkei garden at home . There will also be sake by the glass if you need refreshment!
Vase Arrangement
Aoyama Flower Market's philosophy is that all flowers and plants are worth celebrating and enjoying. Often mixing common, seasonal plants and branches with more traditional blooms, Miyazaki san’s style is to bring a natural scene into your house.
The Japanese approach is to consider flowers as part of your space, not as a separate decoration: Miyazaki san takes elements of ikebana, like the naturalistic elements and asymmetry, to create elegant and interesting arrangements.
We hope to inspire you to use the natural beauty all around us to construct arrangements that reflect your surroundings and feelings.
Miyazaki san is the head florist at Aoyama Flower Market in Selfridges. The classes are an hour long and he will show you how to do every stage and guide you throughout the process - tickets available here. Each class is only 5 people, so there will be plenty of time for one-on-one advice and for him to answer all the questions you have!
No need to bring a vase of your own, we will provide them for your class (one of our Shakugake vases) but these are not included in the price. There will also be sake by the glass if you need refreshment!