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In a remarkable achievement bridging cultures, Amani Alshehhi has become the first UAE national to attain the certification of Ikebana Instructor from the esteemed Ohara School of Ikebana in Japan. Alongside this honor, she was also bestowed with the Ikebana name “Misaki,” meaning ‘beautiful bloom’. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, carries a history of over 600 years and embodies principles of simplicity, asymmetrical beauty, and the use of seasonal materials. It stands out through its emphasis on creating a sense of “empty” space, setting it apart from flower arrangement practices elsewhere in the world.Commending her accomplishment and recognizing her as a “cultural bridge” between the UAE and Japan, Japan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Akihiko Nakajima, personally congratulated Alshehhi. He expressed his encouragement for her to continue her pursuit of mastering this traditional Japanese art form.Alshehhi, reflecting on her achievement, shared, “It was truly an honor to receive this certification from the prestigious Ohara School of Ikebana. I am sure the skills and knowledge I have accumulated will help me spread the profound message of Ikebana in the UAE as it goes beyond flowers and delves into the Japanese philosophy of life.”Becoming an Ikebana Instructor is the initial step towards achieving the highest recognition in the field – that of a First Master of Ikebana. The classes at the Ohara School of Ikebana in the UAE, led by official Second Master of Ikebana, Harue Oki, are conducted in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.Alshehhi’s fascination with Japanese culture ignited in her early years, inspired by the elegance of Japanese kimonos. Furthering her appreciation for Japanese aesthetics, she joined a Japanese cultural club at Zayed University in the UAE. Her journey led her to enroll in the official Ohara School of Ikebana in 2015, where she completed over 120 classes. Her proficiency in the art was showcased when she contributed to the special Ikebana arrangements at the national reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy on the Emperor’s birthday in 2018 and 2020.Ikebana, also referred to as kadō or “the way of the flower” in Japanese, stands as one of the practices encompassed by the concept of “dō” – meaning “path” or “way of living”. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, Ikebana plays an integral role in Japanese artistic culture, guiding the nation’s aesthetic sense and character. Amani Alshehhi’s achievement exemplifies the power of cultural exchange and underscores the deep connections that can be forged through the pursuit of artistic traditions.
