The "Ikebana Taiken-kai," or Japanese flower arrangement practical session for foreigners, was held on September 25 at the Kyoto International Community House, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. International students and other foreigners living in Kyoto learned the spirit of Japanese flower arrangement.

The practical session is a part of the National Cultural Festival which will be held this fall at various locations in Kyoto Prefecture. It was planned by Ikebana International Kyoto Chapter to send Japanese culture out into the world through Ikebana.

About 30 foreigners from England, France, Taiwan, Yemen and other countries attended the session. After listening to an explanation about Ikebana, the participants arranged the colorful flowers in vases. Some were puzzled over how to cut the flowers, but everyone beautifully completed their Ikebana arrangements in the end.

Nikki Kopelman, a participant who is working as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) in Kyotanabe City and is from England, said, "This is my first experience of it. It was hard to keep the flowers balanced."