Floral Ashirai
by Reiko Takahashi
Reiko Takahashi
Originally from Japan, floral artist Reiko Takahashi is currently based in Chicago, Illinois. Reiko has worked in the design industry for nearly 30 years in Japan and in the United States. After beginning her career as a graphic designer, over the years she has expanded into the fields of visual communications, and space and environmental design.
As a native of Japan living in the United States, Reiko developed an interest in being a cultural bridge between the two countries. To be more knowledgeable about the art and culture of Japan, Reiko chose to study Japanese floral design, or ikebana, one of the most representative aspects of traditional Japanese art. She has studied ikebana since 2001 under Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji at the College of Art and Design, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She holds the certificate of Sokakan – the rank of second grade, full professor – from the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Floral Art in Kyoto, Japan. She is currently enrolled in the Ikenobo Central Training Institute working on an advanced diploma.
She is vice president of the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America and a member of the Ikebana International Chicago Chapter.
Through Floral Ashirai, Reiko unites her love of art and nature together with her unique design skills to create beautiful artwork with flowers.
Exhibits
Ikebana Exhibition at Japanese Festival
Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL (2023)Ikebana International Chicago Chapter Annual Ikebana Exhibition
The Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL (2023, 2022)Autumn Reflections Exhibition
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, IL (2022)Harvest of Flowers Exhibition
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana, IL (2021)Sacred Lotus Ikebana and Art Exhibition
Link Gallery, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, IL (2019)Ikebana Display
Restaurant Yugen, Chicago, IL (2018-2019)Illinois Prairie Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America
20th Anniversary Exhibition
Krannert Center of Performing Arts, Urbana, IL (2017)
Public Demonstration and Teaching Events
Ikebana Mini Workshop at ACTFL 2023 Convention and World Languages Expo
McCormick Place, Chicago IL (2023)Moon Viewing Tea and Flower Offering
Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, IL (2023)Ikenobo Demonstration at Ikebana International Chicago Chapter Annual Ikebana Exhibition
The Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL (2023, 2022)Anderson Gardens Japanese Summer Festival
Rockford, IL (2023, 2017)Ikenobo demonstration and workshop at Japanese Culture Festival
Heartland Community College, Normal, IL (2023)Moon Viewing Tea and Flower Offering
Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, IL (2022)Hinamatsuri (Girls Day Festival)
Japanese Culture Center, Chicago, IL (2020, 2018)Matsuri
New City, Chicago, IL (2019)Sake and Ikebana Workshop
Restaurant Kizuki, Chicago, IL (2019)Matsuri
Japan House at University Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2018)
© Floral Ashirai 2022 // Chicago, IL, 60614 // reiko@floralashirai.com