When Mikiko Inoue graduated from university in Japan, she joined a large Japanese company with a 300 year history, hoping for a successful career.
However, after a few years, she began to feel stressed by the disparity between men and women in the company, their old ways , and the daily commute on crowded trains. It was during this difficult time that "flowers" came into her life.
Mikiko came across a photo book of artificial flowers, created by pasting cloths together using an iron. She was so drawn into the art, that she contacted the author directly, and was invited to attend her classes.
Her love for flowers grew, such that she soon became an accredited florist. 3 years later, she quit her job to start a new life as a florist.
Mikiko arrived in Australia in 2014, and established Kent Florist in Brisbane 5 years later, specializing in Ikebana and Kokedama arrangements, terrariums and herbariums. She also holds regular workshops.
One of her popular class is the Kokedama Workshop Source: Mikiko Inoue
One of her popular classes are the kokedama or moss ball workshop. Kokedama is said to have originated from bonsai, where its roots are displayed above the ground, covered with special ball of soil and moss.
Mikiko says, although the term kokedama is widely known today, when she arrived in Australia, it was not known. However after showing her kokedama arrangement to a local florist, she was invited to start a workshop, and participants grew.
For valentine's day, workshops for couples to create a heart shaped komedama is popular, says Mikiko.
Heart shaped Kokedama workshop for valentines day Source: Mikiko Inoue
Apart from working as a florist, Mikiko also runs a small Japanese antique shop, where she sells kimonos, hair ornaments, Japanese bags, fans, kokeshi dolls, pretty much anything Japanese.
"I love Japanese culture"
Other than ikebana, Mikiko plays the 'Japanese harp" or koto and practices karate and the ancient Japanese martial arts, just to name a few.
She also founded the "Kimono Culture Club" with her acquaintances to provide a place where people can experience Japanese culture. The members of the group are not only Japanese, but also people from all walks of life who have been exposed to and mastered various aspects of Japanese culture, including tea ceremony, koto, taiko, martial arts, flower arrangement, and Japanese language.
"My mission is to pass the Japanese culture to the next generation"
Kimono Culture Club、Brisbane Source: Mikiko Inoue
For Mikiko, the most important thing about teaching the Japanese culture is respect. And with respect, she says people can enjoy the culture without being too restrictive or traditional. It should be "applicable and most importantly, enjoyable"
For audio interview in Japanese
Listen to SBS Japanese Radio on Tue, Thu and Sat from 10pm
