Yayoi “Soho” Sakai
Sogetsu Ikebana
Riji Grand Master
Soho Sakai, a native of Japan, began practicing the ancient Japanese art and discipline of Ikebana in 1957 in Kumamoto, Japan. What started as a bridal training has become a deep passion and way of life for Soho. She received her teacher’s Diploma from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in 1961, just prior to coming to the United States. Soho attended the University of California Extension at Berkeley in 1975 to obtain an adult education teaching credential. In addition to a lifetime California Adult School teaching credential in 1976, and a California Community College teaching credential in 1980, she holds the prestigious title of RIJI, the highest teaching rank of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. In March 2004, she received the prestigious Sogetsu Sho award, and in March 2007, she received the Sogetsu School’s 80th Anniversary Commemorative Overseas award from Headmistress Akane Teshigahara, Sogetsu School, Tokyo, Japan. In January, 2014, she received the Bunka Hall of Fame award from the Japanese American Association of Northern California. in 2017, she received Kansha Jyo from the Sogetsu School. In 2017, she received the Sogetsu 90th Anniversary Commemorative Sogetsu Overseas Honor Award from Headmistress Akane Teshigahara, Sogetsu School Tokyo.
A much loved and respected teacher, Soho has taught Sogetsu Ikebana in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1974, and has a large and devoted following of students. Presently, she teaches at the Albany Community Center, Orinda Community Center, City College of San Francisco 1986 – 2022 as well as giving private lessons at her residence and other locations. She has over 120 enrolled students, of whom 90 hold Sogetsu teacher’s certificates. Soho bases her teacher-student relationship on friendship first, followed by appreciation, cooperation and mutual understanding of Ikebana. She creates a relaxed atmosphere in her class to gently encourage each student to express their unique, artistic vision. Through her deep affection and respect for flowers and plants, she strives to reveal the beauty, dignity and human essence of Ikebana. Soho is also in high demand as a demonstrator and teacher nationally internationally. Because of her exciting presentations and expertise, she was guest speaker for the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) National Symposium held in San Francisco in 1987, 1999, & 2011, and at Bouquets to Art in 2011, 2014 and again in March 2021 at the De Young Museum, in San Francisco. The Soho Study Group has participated in installing arrangements in Bouquets to Art from the first annual exhibition and continues to do so. Also many members of the Soho Study Group have been displaying in Bouquets to Art exhibits. Members have been participating to make weekly arrangements at the De Young, Legion of Honor and Asian Art Museums for many years.
She is known for her lively spirit and ability to relate to audiences. DVDs of Soho’s presentations include: Ikebana with Soho -Vol 1 (2005) , Vol 2 (2007), and Vol 3 (2011). Soho includes time in her busy schedule for membership in the Sogetsu Teacher’s Association in Tokyo, Japan; Ikebana Teacher’s Federation, San Francisco; San Francisco Ikebana International Bay Area Chapter, guest membership of the San Francisco Garden Club and honorary membership of the Orinda Garden Club; and is the Chairperson of the Soho Study Group which has 176 members.
