Hatsuike 2025: Omoto and Shoka Shimputai - Choosing Materials

Mimi Santini-Ritt - Instructor
Omoto style arrangement
(using aspidistra as Omoto substitute)

The Omoto (Rohdea japonica) arrangement is one of the Shichishuden (7 Special Teachings). Because of omoto’s unique growth pattern, special rules apply when making this unusual arrangement of an even number of leaves and a berry cluster. It is recommended as a celebratory flower. Although omoto is not available in the US, a suitable substitute will be used.

       Gallery 1: Omoto                

Omoto Cathy Sartorelli

Omoto Connie Filosi Deb Young

Omoto Hiromi Satoh

Omoto Holly Harris

Omoto Audrey Grumbling

Omoto Carolyn Johnson

Omoto Connie Filosi

Omoto Jeanne LaFrance

Omoto KaiYin Hsu

Omoto Kathy D'Angelo

Omoto Margaret Chojin

Omoto Martha Volpe

Omoto Masumi Ichikawa Naylor

Omoto Mimi Santini-Ritt - instructor

Omoto Nagina Malhotra

Omoto Patsy Cunningham

Omoto Regina Chang

Omoto Sophie Yuan

Omoto Tami Schwartz

Omoto Teresa Silverman

Omoto Yukiko Fairbrother

Diane Suda

The Shoka Shimputai workshop highlighted the decision-making process required in selecting floral components for the arrangement.   Using their understanding of the paramount interaction of  shu, yo and ashirai, arrangers selected their floral material from an array of over 250 stems of branches, leaves and stems. The workshop instructor was Diane Suda.

Gallery 2: Shoka shimputai

Shoka Shimputai Holly Harris

Shoka Shimputai Masumi Ichikawa Naylor

Shoka Shimputai Carolyn Johnson

Shoka Shimputai Cathy Sartorelli

Shoka Shimputai Hiromi Satoh

Shoka Shimputai Kai-Yin Hsu

Shoka Shimputai Kathy D'Angelo

Shoka Shimputai Margaret Chojin

Shoka Shimputai Mimi Santini-Ritt

Shoka Shimputai Nagina Malhotra

Shoka Shimputai Patsy Cunningham

Shoka Shimputai Regina Chang

Shoka Shimputai Yukiko Fairbrother