Ikebana Classes
Ikebana, or Kado, is the Japanese art of flower arranging. It is considered one of the three classical arts of refinement.
Lessons will be conducted by Nanako Tingleaf, a professor in the art of Ikenobo Ikebana — the oldest school of the traditional Japanese discipline of flower arranging.
Instruction includes all floral material necessary to create arrangements in the style of the Ikenobo School of Ikebana.
Classes are offered in Fall Session and Spring Session sets and will be held every third Thursday of the month* at the JASH office.
Class size requires a minimum of 4 individuals to remain viable. Space is limited to 8 individuals per class.
Please note: tuition is non-refundable except 1) when class is cancelled and cannot be rescheduled by instructor; or 2) due to unavoidable circumstances which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
*some exceptions may apply
BEGINNER CLASS -
FALL SESSION
Requirements: less than one (1) year of ikebana classroom experience.
SEP 25, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
OCT 16, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
NOV 20, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
DEC 18, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
Tuition covers one class a month from September - December 2025.
Each lesson takes place at the JASH offices and lasts 1.5 hours.
BEGINNER CLASS -
SPRING SESSION
Requirements: less than one (1) year of ikebana classroom experience.
JAN 15, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
FEB 19, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
MAR 19, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
APR 16, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
MAY 21, 12:30PM - 2:00PM
Tuition covers one class a month from January - May 2026.
Each lesson takes place at the JASH offices and lasts 1.5 hours.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS** - FALL SESSION
Requirements: at least one (1) year of JASH ikebana classroom or similar experience.
SEP 25, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
OCT 16, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
NOV 20, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
DEC 18, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Tuition covers one class a month from September - December 2025.
Each lesson takes place at the JASH offices and lasts 1.5 hours.
INTERMEDIATE CLASS** - SPRING SESSION
Requirements: at least one (1) year of JASH ikebana classroom or similar experience.
JAN 15, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
FEB 19, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
MAR 19, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
APR 16, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
MAY 21, 10:30AM - 12:00PM
Tuition covers one class a month from January - May 2026.
Each lesson takes place at the JASH offices and lasts 1.5 hours.
**In this class, students can aim to obtain a certificate by taking the number of lessons specified by the Ikenobo School and mastering the required content. In order to obtain this certificate, students must complete both the Fall and Spring sessions.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR | NANAKO TINGLEAF
Courtesy of Ikebana in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country
Professor Nanako Tingleaf began her ikebana studies while she was in junior high school. After five years, she was presented with Kanban which is a certification that allows her to open a private teaching practice. On that occasion, she was given her ikebana professional name: Gyokusui. On arriving in Houston, Texas, she met other Ikenobo teachers who encouraged her to apply for higher Ikenobo certifications. She received her 14th certificate, Sokako, Professor of Ikebana First Grade in 2005.
Professor Tingleaf has given demonstrations at various organizations and occasions throughout Texas to include I.I. Chapters in Houston and Fort Worth, the State Convention of Texas Garden Clubs. Texas A&M University, and she has exhibited at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Asia Society Gala, Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Residence of the Consul General of Japan for gatherings and other events. In May 2015, she acted as translator to the Headmaster Senei Ikenobo and his assistants from Kyoto, Japan, for the celebration of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Texas 50th Anniversary Symposium. At the end of the celebration, the 45th Headmaster, Senei Ikenobo, presented her with the certificate “Junkatoku” and the award of merit for the advancement of Ikenobo Ikebana and the contribution and dedication to the school.
She has attended Ikenobo seminars in Kyoto and audited advanced courses at the Chuo Kenshu Institute. These classes are taught in Japanese by senior professors at the Ikenobo Headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. She has studied and traveled worldwide with Ikenobo senior professors to include San Francisco and many other U.S. cities; Toronto, Canada; Madrid, Spain; and Basil, Switzerland. She is a past president of I.I. Houston Chapter and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Texas.
She appreciates and has a deep respect for the Art of Ikenobo today as she did many years ago. It is her desire to introduce and promote Ikenobo Ikebana whenever opportunities arise.