700 people arranged 700 sunflowers from Hokkaido!
This event at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse in Hakodate, Hokkaido, is now in its third year.
I actually visited the warehouse to celebrate its 35th anniversary, and it was supposed to be a one-time event, but the warmth of the people in Hakodate was so pleasant and fun that I ended up returning three years in a row. When I see the sea of Hakodate, I feel like, “Ah, I’m back home!”
Thanks to the kindness of Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, these will be on display until Tanabata on July 7th!
Everyone will write their wishes on strips of paper and hang them on the bamboo.
The right section is densely packed, while the left section is sparsely packed.
Check out the video! It’s a time-lapse.。
Holes were made in the bamboo with an impact driver and a special wire was threaded through it to secure it in place.
This is because if screws were driven into the bamboo as is, it could break.
After the bamboo was arranged, 700 people arranged 700 sunflowers grown in Hokkaido!
Many young children took part and it was wonderful to see them arranging the flowers, looking so happy.
Many people arranged sunflowers. This is the final piece of the “Hakobana” three-year trilogy, and it’s my favorite piece.
1000 alstroemerias in the first year, 700 gerberas in the second year, and if you add them all together, it’s 2400 flowers, so it’s all thanks to the cooperation of 2400 people.
Thank you so much.
I think that arranging flowers gives people energy. But it’s hard to convey that in words, so the best way is to actually try it!
And with that in mind, this event started!
It was also my first attempt to make an ikebana work participatory. This was my opportunity to start making guest-participatory works.
No matter who you are, when you arrange flowers, you smile.
I think that’s the power of flowers.
Artificial flowers are popular these days, but they’re plastic.
The power of flowers resides in living flowers.
This event allowed me to feel the bonds I have with so many people, including everyone at the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, the farmers, and the people who connected me to the farmers.
Thank you so much to everyone!
I’ll be returning to Hakodate in three years!
