Preserving ikebana, one arrangement at a time

Age is truly just a number for Akiko Bourland, who fell in love with ikebana, the ancient Japanese art of harmonious flower arrangement, when she attended high school in Yokohama, Japan.

After decades of studying and teaching ikebana, the 92-year-old has a wall of awards and certificates in her lovely Clairemont home, which she shares with her husband, Walt.

A certified grandmaster in ikebana since 1996, Bourland retired in June from teaching weekly continuing-education classes at Mesa College, after 50 consecutive years.

Until the pandemic shutdown, she also was an instructor in Balboa Park, under the auspices of the San Diego Wabi Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana. She founded the chapter in 1973 and served as president for its first 35 years.

Bourland’s plans for the fall?

“I’m going to start teaching again at Balboa Park in September,” she said. “I’ll only do an advanced class, teaching the instructors. I think twice a month. It would be too much to do it weekly.”

Although she may be slowing down a little, Bourland was gracious, lively and able to recount much of her colorful life during a recent interview that lasted 90 minutes.

She did get a bit of assistance in her recollections from her husband, Walt, who will be 92 on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

“When I come here, I didn’t know much,” she said with a laugh. “I told my husband, ‘You’re an important man because the country has a holiday on your birthday.’”

The couple met while she was working at the U.S. Navy post exchange in Yokohama, where he was stationed. They married in 1970, but living a military wife’s nomadic life didn’t deter Bourland from ikebana.

“She has a natural talent for it,” her husband said. “She’s very good. Some people study for decades and don’t do as well.”

Harmony through flowers

Bourland’s accomplishments are remarkable for both her artistry and her tireless efforts to spread the word. Distinct from floral design, she noted, ikebana is a cultural art.

“Natural beauty and balance — this combination is a very important consideration of ikebana,” said Bourland, who values concision in art and language.

“When I came (to the U.S), many people didn’t know what ikebana means. So, I opened them up to ikebana.”

Bourland’s self-published 2000 book, “Ikebana, Harmony Through Flowers,” was a labor of love for Bourland, and for her husband, Walt, who did most of the photography.

The purpose of the project was to give detailed instructions to aspiring students of Ohara ikebana. It fulfills that goal, in both English and Japanese. But the 189-page publication could easily qualify as a coffee-table book.

Her arrangements are simple but striking at the beginning, gradually becoming more complicated and stunning. All showcase the key materials of ikebana — flowers, branches and leaves — with most representing a different season of the year.

The book’s concept originated from Bourland’s highly successful one-woman show in 1996 at the Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley. Titled “21st Century Ikebana Concepts,” the three-day, gallery-like event highlighted more than 50 of her arrangements.

The photos from “21st Century Ikebana Concepts” are highlighted in the book’s final section.

“Akiko’s idea was that maybe more people would come see ikebana, and maybe more would join her class,” Walt Bourland said. “And they did!”

Cris Bugarin, who has worked with Bourland for 18 years, said: “I consider Akiko to be my best friend. She’s very generous and kind to everyone. We can all see how much she loves her work. She does these amazing arrangements. When we have demonstrations, Akiko takes these huge branches and bends them to the way she wants them to look.”

(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Generous, kind and strong

Laurinda Owen was a student in Bourland’s continuing-education classes since 2013. She vividly remembers the class saying farewell to its retiring teacher in June during a Zoom session.

“Everyone took turns talking about how much we appreciated the beautiful art form she had been teaching us,” Owen recalled. “I said that during the pandemic, when there was negativity and bad news, it was so nice to have the class. It gave us enjoyment and brought us calm.”

Cris Bugarin, who has worked with Bourland for 18 years, is herself a past leader of both international and local ikebana organizations. She noted that, unlike other types of ikebana, the Ohara school focuses on natural materials, geometric angles and careful use of space.

“The materials are not easy to work with — you have to bend, shape and cut,” said Bugarin, 76.

“I consider Akiko to be my best friend. She’s very generous and kind to everyone. We can all see how much she loves her work. She does these amazing arrangements. When we have demonstrations, Akiko takes these huge branches and bends them to the way she wants them to look.

“You’ve got to be very strong. And she’s 92!”

Bourland’s family encouraged her June retirement from her continuing-education classes, which also meant a welcome retirement for her husband, who did the administrative tasks.

The couple have three children, Rose, Ron and Renee, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“My family are concerned with my health,” said Bourland, who has led workshops and demonstrations in Boston, Philadelphia and other cities throughout her career.

“So, I decided to stop teaching at school. But I still want to do a little more work!”

Akiko Bourland

Born: Named Akiko Hayashi in Gotemba City, Japan, on May 8, 1929.

Education: Graduated from high school in Yokohama, Japan, in 1948; received instructor degree from the Sasebo Chapter (Japan) of the Ohara School of Ikebana in 1968.

Achievements: Founded the San Diego Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana in 1973 and served as its president for 35 years. For many years, Akiko Bourland provided ikebana arrangements on a regular basis to the consulate of Japan in San Diego and Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden, which hosted many of her demonstrations.

Recognition: Earned California Community College Teacher Certificate in 1975; honored by San Diego House of Japan for furthering Japanese culture in 1985; selected by the International Ikebana in Tokyo headquarters for a lifetime membership in 1990; received a grandmaster certificate from Japan’s Ohara School of Ikebana in 1996; proclaimed “Founder Advisor” by the Ohara School in Japan, the only American to be given the title, in 2008; received the Phillips Community Award by the Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana for improving cultural ties between the people of Japan, San Diego, and Tijuana, in 2012; was an honoree of San Diego’s Asian Heritage Award for Excellence in Art and Literature in 2012; was named conference chair of last year’s 19th Annual National Ohara Teachers Association meeting, which was canceled due to the pandemic.

Wood is a freelance writer.