About

On the shores of Ōsawa Pond

Chrysanthemums bloom

I think, Only one is there

And yet another appears

—Ki no Tomonori

大沢の池の辺に菊咲きて

ひとつと思へばまたありけり

Saga Goryu Ikebana Introduction (3).mp4

Introduction

There are more than 1,000 traditions of flower arranging (ikebana) in Japan.

Saga Goryu is an ancient school, with a story beginning some 1200 years ago in Kyoto. During the Heian period (9th C.), Emperor Saga is said to have gathered chrysanthemums from Osawa Pond. After arranging them in a vase, he encouraged others to follow his example.

Our Chapter

Saga Goryu North America Chapter— Hokubei shishō—is the oldest Saga Goryu Ikebana branch outside Japan. Currently in its 85th year, the chapter comprises three generations of teachers, a multi-generational student body (millennial through to a WWII survivor), and includes BIPOC and LGBTQ+ -identifying members. Our chapter headquarters are in Portland, OR, with members also located in Sacramento and Washington DC.

Our Lineage

Our chapter was established in Portland, Oregon by Daiyu Y. Henjyoji and Mrs. Wako Henjyoji in 1940, as part of the Henjyoji Shingon Buddhist Temple Nippon Cultural Academy. In 1974, the school was designated Saga Goryu North America Chapter— Hokubei shishō —by Daikakuji Temple. David Shunko Komeiji was designated leader of the school by Mrs. Henjyoji in 2011.

Bishop Daiyu Henjyoji

Founder

Bishop Daiyu Henjyoji established the North America chapter alongside his wife, Rev. Wako Henjyoji. In the early days, the school provided a Shingon Buddhist cultural and community base for Japanese immigrants, and later evolved to include a diverse student body. In 1960, Bishop Henjyoji brought 13 Master Teachers of Saga Goryu Ikebana to Portland. They toured the US, planting the seeds of Saga Goryu across North America. Bishop Henjyoji held the Hoin honorific (Dharma Master recognition, from Daikakuju Temple) and was a Grand Master of Saga Goryu Ikebana.

Rev. Wako Henjyoji

Founder

Rev. Wako Henjyoji established the North America chapter alongside her husband, Bishop Daiyu Henjyoji. Even during their internment in Idaho during WWII, the Henjyojis continued to teach ikebana without containers, hasami (scissors), nor ready access to plant materials. Through the decades to come, Mrs. Henjyoji was much in demand for her teaching, traveling up and down the west coast to bring Saga Goryu Ikebana to diverse audiences. Mrs. Henjyoji held the Hoin honorific (Dharma Master recognition, from Daikakuju Temple) and was a Grand Master of Saga Goryu Ikebana.

David Shunko Komeiji

Chapter Director

Designated by Rev. Henjyoji as her successor, David Komeiji is our current shisho-chō (Chapter Director). Born and raised in Hawaii, David is rooted in both Japanese tradition and the Hawaiian values of aloha. In recent years, he has brought ikebana into diverse communities. These include correctional facilities, where he guides Adults In Custody in the expressive and restorative aspects of the art, and helps support a healing garden. David holds the Hokyo honorific (Dharma Teacher recognition, from Daikakuji Temple) and is a Master of Saga Goryu Ikebana.

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