Gontadou
Ikebana Studio
Modern ikebana in Tokyo. Seamless English studio sessions for residents and global travellers.
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Course Details at a Glance:
Curriculum: Official Sogetsu School Textbooks (Levels 1–5).
Certification: Path to recognized Sogetsu Teachers’ Association credentials.
Frequency: Weekly or bi-monthly enrollment options.
Focus: Long-term technical mastery and sculptural floral design.
Language: Instruction in English; suitable for international residents in Tokyo.
Online Ikebana Study
Master Avant-Garde Sogetsu Ikebana from Anywhere in the World
The Experience
Bring the sanctuary of Tokyo ikebana into your home, no matter where you live. For students residing in areas without local access to an authentic instructor, this online study group connects you directly with our certified teacher based in Tokyo for live, hands-on learning in the avant-garde Sogetsu school.
Step away from digital fatigue and ground yourself in the physical act of creation. Working independently in your own space with seasonal botanicals, you will receive real-time demonstrations, personalized critiques, and technical guidance via live video.
Sogetsu: The Modern Approach to Ikebana
Departing from traditional perceptions of ikebana, Sogetsu treats botanical materials as structural elements for bold self-expression. Founded on a radical, progressive philosophy, it operates on the belief that anyone can create Ikebana anywhere, with any material. In our studio, we look past the surface of the branch and blossom, transforming nature into striking, three-dimensional living sculpture.
The Sogetsu Curriculum
Your Sogetsu Ikebana journey is structured to take you from foundational techniques to creative self-expression
Phrase 1: Foundations
Your initial 40 lessons focus on traditional styles known as kakei. Using Sogetsu Textbooks 1 & 2, each covers 20 lessons, you will:
Learn the fundamental rules and structural techniques of arrangement.
Familiarize yourself with a wide variety of botanical materials.
Understand the unique physical characteristics of different flowers and foliage.
Phase 2: Creative Expression
Once you have mastered the basics, you are ready to move beyond traditional forms and express your personal vision. Guided by Sogetsu Textbooks 3, 4, and 5, this stage deepens your artistry by focusing on three core elements:
Line: Exploring the linear structures and natural curves of stems and branches.
Color: Harmonizing and contrasting hues to set a mood.
Mass: Balancing volume and spatial depth within your arrangement.
Certification
Our structured lessons offer an ideal way to master and earn formal qualifications issued directly by Sogetsu headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. As you complete each stage of the curriculum, you have the opportunity to achieve official rank advancement and diploma acquisition, whether you join us in-person or study remotely online.
The Instructor
Benedict Tsang ( 顕豪 )
Sogetsu Ikebana Artist & Certified Instructor
Benedict is a Sogetsu Ikebana artist and certified instructor. Recognised by the Japanese government for his professional mastery, he is also one of the extremely rare cultural practitioners granted the official Japanese Artist Visa to maintain an independent creative practice in Japan.
His journey began in Kyoto, later continuing in Hong Kong, and ultimately leading to Tokyo to study under Sogetsu Master Reiko Takenaka. Benedict’s work spans international exhibitions, commercial collaborations, and major seasonal installations—including the New Year arrangements at the Hotel New Otani Tokyo. In 2025, his practice was part of a group honoured with the prestigious Sogetsu Excellence Award.
Fluent in four languages, Benedict brings a global sensibility to his teaching, making the profound depth of Japanese aesthetics fully accessible to international minds.
Follow him on Instagram @gontadou
Group Study
Monthly Membership:
JP¥ 23,000 / month (covers 3 lessons per month), or
JP¥ 150,000 paid upfront for the full 20-lesson foundational program
Private Study
Monthly Membership:
JP¥ 45,000 / month (covers 3 lessons per month), or
JP¥ 280,000 paid upfront for the full 20-lesson foundational program
Membership Details
Our online study group operates on a consistent monthly rhythm rather than a per-class model. Membership is billed as a monthly tuition covering three structured sessions per month, ensuring steady, cumulative advancement through the curriculum.
Students source their own botanical materials locally, with advance guidance and material recommendations provided prior to each session.
Capacity: Minimum 4 participants for group study via Zoom
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes per session.
Language: Fully fluent English instruction.
Requirements: Open to adults aged 20 and above.
Who We Are
Gontadou Modern Ikebana Studio is a contemporary space in the heart of Tokyo dedicated to Sogetsu—one of Japan’s pre-eminent ikebana schools. We move beyond traditional arrangement, treating the plant as a medium for sculptural expression and personal creative discovery. Through nuanced English-language instruction, the studio serves as a bridge for international guests and residents to master this heritage art with a distinctly modern sensibility.
Our Classes
Private Ikebana Immersion
A bespoke, one-to-one immersion for international guests. This distilled session introduces key principles and techniques, tailored to the pace of your Tokyo visit.
Weekly Ikebana Ritual
A weekly modern Ikebana class for Tokyo international residents, offering a serene, offline sanctuary to master the Way of Flowers.
Ikebana for Schools
A contemplative programme for international schools, prioritising sustained focus and reflective intention over the noise of the modern classroom.
Corporate Solutions
Refined creative solutions for high-performance teams, valued clients, and bespoke site-specific installations.
Access
Gontadou Modern Ikebana Studio
〒151-0071 Tokyo, Shibuya, Honmachi, 1 Chome−5−7 Esperanza HATSUDA
By Reservation Only
Situated in the tranquil neighbourhood of Hatsudai, the studio offers a serene escape from Tokyo’s frantic pace while remaining remarkably well-connected. We are just a short walk from Hatsudai Station (Keio New Line), a mere two-minute train ride from Shinjuku.
Typical journey times to Hatsudai Station:
2 minutes from Shinjuku Station
15 minutes from Shibuya Station
25 minutes from Akihabara Station
25 minutes from Tokyo Station
25 minutes from Ueno Station
50 minutes from Haneda Airport
90 mintutes from Narita Airport