Learn Ikebana Japanese flower arranging

E-Ling Lou knows something about the art of placing blossoms, buds, stems and leaves just so to create an artistic, aesthetically appealing display.

A member of the Chicago chapter of Ikebana International, she will demonstrate Ikebana Japanese flower arranging this weekend at Morton Arboretum, when the Lisle conservation organization presents its second annual Asian Celebration.

"It originated from the Buddhist traditions, " Lou said of Ikebana, an ancient craft that saw a resurgence in the 1940s, spurring the establishment of a worldwide organization dedicated to promoting and preserving its practice.

"The stems and branches in the arrangement have symbolic meanings," she said. "Like any art, there are the different styles. In Ikebana, there are many different schools promoting their styles and forms."

Lou said most Ikebana arrangements favor an asymmetrical pattern and almost always rely on fresh, in-season cuttings.

She said she'll use plant material grown at the arboretum for her demonstrations at the Asian Celebration, which is apropos considering the arboretum's collection of plants native to Asia led to the celebration's introduction last year.

"It's one of several cultural celebrations we've had here," said Diana Fischer-Woods, the arboretum's special events coordinator.

Last year, Fischer-Woods said, walks through the arboretum's Chinese plant collections were featured at the Asian Celebration. This year, Japanese plants will be highlighted and next year, visitors will get guided walks through collections indigenous to Korea.

Fischer-Woods said this year's celebration will bring back favorite features from last year's inaugural event, along with several new attractions.

Rickshaw rides, wherein riders in open-air carts are transported by drivers pedalling bicycles, is one addition, she said.

Also added this year are performances of koto music, featuring two koto music masters from the Tokyo-based Sawai Koto Institute: Curt Patterson, a former Chicagoan who has lived in Japan, and Ryuko Mizutani.

The concert is set for 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday in the Thornhill Auditorium. The concert requires an additional ticket purchase. Tickets are $25 for members, $33 for others.

Visitors to this year's Asian Celebration will be invited to join in a game of cricket, a popular pastime in Southeast Asia, Fischer-Woods said.

The celebration also will feature tai chi, mah-jongg, acupressure and yoga demonstrations, children's craft activities, a bonsai show, Filipino dancing, Asian cuisine, Japanese tea ceremonies and Japanese storytelling, Fischer-Woods said.

Returning this year will be musician Kerry Leung, who plays several traditional Chinese instruments, and taiko drummers, who move in an exaggerated, dramatic fashion, Fischer-Woods said.

Leading the group of about 15 youthful JASC Tsukasa Taiko drummers will be renowned Japanese musician and jazz artist Tatsu Aoki, who teaches at the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University.

"This is a Japanese drumming group. The instrument is ancient and traditional. This formula we are taking is ensemble taiko. That's not really traditional formula," said Aoki.

Aoki said drumsticks are used to play large drums while sitting or standing. Drummers will be accompanied by musicians playing Japanese lute and flute.

"It's not really about the rhythm and stuff," he said. "It's about choreography. (That's) more important."

If you go

What: Asian Celebration

Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; koto concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Admission: Included in arboretum admission of $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for children, free for 2 and younger; Saturday concert tickets are $25 for members, $33 for others

Info: (630) 968-0074, (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org