San Francisco Bay Area Chapter #31 

Rayko Kurosaki (Enshu) started taking lessons in the Enshu ikebana School in San Francisco with Haruko Obata and Sakae Sakaki when she was in Jr. High. The simplicity of the classical style, which epitomizes Enshu appealed to her. She continued taking lessons over the years, with some breaks in between. When Sakaki Sensei retired, Rayko took over teaching her class at the El Cerrito Recreation Center. Rayko has exhibited at the biennial Flower Show, and made side arrangements at our monthly Friday meetings. She represented Enshu at the Cherry Blossom Festival ikebana exhibit.

Sumi Metz (Aratame) has studied and taught ikebana for more than 45 years. She has a deep understanding of ikebana traditions while exceeding those boundaries to interpret ikebana in purely contemporary works which reflect and complement modern life. Sumi’s ikebana has a joyful personality which always speaks to the viewer. Her formal ikebana studies began in the Wafu School for nearly three decades earning her the Gakukan degree in 2000. In 2000, Aratame Headmaster Seigyo Aratame invited Sumi to join his young Aratame School which was founded in 1993. She joined as his assistant and was soon named President of Aratame. She joined I.I. in 1980 and has served on the board of directors several times; currently chairing our Ways and Means tables.

Sumi demonstrates and exhibits for I.I. as well as businesses, schools and other organizations in the Bay Area. Her work has been displayed locally and internationally.

Christina Schuknecht (Chiko) began her study of Ikebana in 2002. In 2005 she began to study in the Chiko School with Michiko Hosoda. In 2006 she became a member of I.I. and has participated in our SF Chapter Flower Shows since 2007. She has displayed arrangements at our meetings and had demonstrated at I.I. and other events. Ikebana remains an important part of her life, the tranquility and meditation that comes thru it carries over adding much needed peace and balance. The challenge of expressing thoughts, feelings, memories and concepts harmoniously within Chiko is what personally gives her both a sense of pleasure and freedom. Having been an avid photographer for many years, in late 2009 she became the photographer for our chapter, providing the outstanding images for our web site.