Clouds in your Ikebana, Jidai Matsuri, and Kyoto Shopping

Hello HanaYou Friends,

This is the latest edition of the HanaYou Ikebana Journal. I’m happy to share more small stories from Kyoto.

In this issue: a reflection on the local approach to shopping local, a lesser-known autumn festival called Jidai Matsuri, and a little ikebana trick to make your flowers float like clouds.

Kyoto Locals and Their Favorite Shops

Buildings and city views change over time, but I’ve realized Kyoto locals rarely change their favorite stores.

A flower shop owner told me that everyone here has their own go-to place. Even when a beautiful new shop opens, locals prefer to wait, sometimes a full year, to see if it lasts. Surviving that first year means the store has earned its place in the community.

One restaurant owner said the local business world is very close-knit and cautious about change. That might sound tough for newcomers, but it shows something wonderful: customers value long-term trust. They enjoy buying from people they know, and that’s why so many long-standing shops still thrive in Kyoto.

This year, I feel like I’m taking on that same challenge. I’m excited to see how HanaYou will grow here, and looking forward to finding my own favorite local shops along the way. 🌸

HanaYou Is Now on TripAdvisor!

You can now find HanaYou Ikebana classes on TripAdvisor. This adds a new way to book ikebana sessions with me:

• You can still book a Kyoto ikebana class on the HanaYou website, or
• You can book via TripAdvisor

Here are a few photos from some of the first people who have booked with TripAdvisor:

If you’re visiting Kyoto, I’d love for you to join an experience ikebana with me. Hopefully this new option makes it convenient for you.

✨ Check TripAdvisor reviews and book your class →

A Quiet Festival, a Timeless City

Kyoto’s air has turned crisp! I finally need a jacket in the mornings and evenings. It’s already November, and I can’t believe how fast the year has gone.

On October 22, I happened to come across Jidai Matsuri, the Festival of the Ages. It began in 1895 and features about two thousand locals dressed as historical figures from different eras of Japan's history.

At first, I thought it looked like a Japanese version of a Halloween parade, but it was very different: slow, elegant, and almost dreamlike. The two-hour procession moved from Kyoto Gyoen (the imperial palace gardens) to Heian Shrine, filling the streets with the sounds of horses’ hooves, bells, flutes, and the low call of shell horns.

It was my first time hearing the sound of an ox cart. If someone had heard it alone at night in the Heian period (794AD to 1185AD), it might have felt eerie, like a distant voice echoing through the dark. You can see (and hear) what I mean in this video:

Kyoto is full of festivals like this; whenever you visit, you’ll find something cultural and deeply moving. (Maybe just skip the summer heat if you can!)

This Week's Ikebana: Shoes on Your Stems and Clouds in Your Vase

In this week's ikebana, here's what we'll be using:

The elements may look simple, but you can making impressive arrangements with just these items!

You can follow along by watching this video:

Here's an example of what you can make:

Below, I'll share with you a couple of metaphors I like to use that explain elements of what I'm making.

👟 What does “shoes on your stems” mean?

When you work with flowers that have skinny stems and won’t stay in the kenzan, what can you do?

Solution 1
Use a kenzan with narrower needles. They hold thin stems better.

Solution 2
Group several thin stems together and insert them as one thicker bunch.

Solution 3
Put "Shoes" on the stems. 👟

To put shoes on a stem, cut a short leftover piece of a thicker stem and slide your skinny stem into it.

If it doesn’t fit easily, make a tiny hole first with a toothpick or pin. Then gently slide the thin stem into it.

Putting shoes on your thin stems will help them stand firmly in the kenzan.

☁️ What does "clouds in your vase" mean?

This week I used baby’s breath in my arrangement. Baby's breath is beautiful but tricky to work with intentionally. Too much can look busy, while just the right amount makes the arrangement feel airy and light.

I always tell my students:

“Make clouds in your vase. Not heavy clouds, but soft, floating ones where the flowers seem to rise out of air.” ☁️🌸

Sometimes it’s hard for me to explain exactly in words, so I like using images instead. Pictures come to mind easily, while words can make things complicated (and my English isn’t perfect anyway, haha!).

What kind of clouds will you make? Share your arrangements with me. I’d love to see them!

With Gratitude 🌿

Thank you, as always, for reading the HanaYou Ikebana Journal. Your feedback helps shape this growing Kyoto chapter.

I hope this week’s stories bring you a little peace and inspiration.

With love,
Ryoko