A New Chapter Begins

We are delighted to announce that, effective September 1, 2026, the Ohara School of Ikebana officially recognized Central Ohio Shibui as a Chapter.

For our members, this is much more than a change in name. Chapter recognition represents an important milestone in the growth of Ohara Ikebana in Central Ohio and acknowledges the strong community of students, instructors, volunteers, and friends who have helped Central Ohio Shibui develop in a remarkably short time.

Our story began in January 2024 with our first regular Ohara Ikebana class at the Yokoso Center in Columbus. At the time, we hoped there would be enough interest to sustain regular opportunities for people in Central Ohio to study the Ohara School. Community interest quickly exceeded our expectations.

In November 2024, the Ohara School officially recognized Central Ohio Shibui as a Study Group. Less than two years later, we have taken the next step.

What Does It Take to Become an Ohara Chapter?

Chapter recognition is not automatic. The Ohara School has established specific requirements that a Study Group must satisfy before applying to become a Chapter.

Those requirements include at least one year of experience as an official Study Group, at least five members holding Instructor-level certificates or above, at least four officers, and at least 30 members. Applicants must also satisfy one of two student-development measures: more than 20 certificate applications during the previous three years or at least 20 members holding Ohara School certificates.

At the time of our Chapter recognition, Central Ohio Shibui's qualifications included:

Those numbers tell an important part of the story. But becoming a sustainable Chapter requires more than meeting minimum requirements.

Building a Community of Learning

Education has always been at the center of Central Ohio Shibui.

By June 2026, we had conducted 54 regular lessons, representing 799 individual lesson attendances. Including workshops, demonstrations, online lectures, and other educational programs, we had recorded 1,144 educational participations.

Our students were not simply attending classes—they were progressing in their study of the Ohara School.

At that time, 51 of our 91 members held Ohara School certificates, including 13 Senmon. We had submitted 28 certificate applications to Headquarters since our first applications in November 2024.

Our students continued advancing while our Chapter application was under review. By the time Chapter recognition arrived in September, the number of certificate applications had grown from 28 to 35.

Sharing Ohara Ikebana Beyond the Classroom

From the beginning, our goal has also been to make Ohara Ikebana visible and accessible throughout Central Ohio.

Our members have participated in demonstrations, exhibitions, lectures, and community programs, while Central Ohio Shibui has developed relationships with organizations including the Yokoso Center, The Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Columbus School for Girls, the Columbus Bonsai Society, and Asian American Community Services.

We have also welcomed distinguished Ohara instructors for special educational opportunities and developed online programming that allows students and members of the broader ikebana community to continue learning beyond our regular classes.

These activities reflect one of the responsibilities of an Ohara Chapter: not only to provide opportunities for members to study the School's techniques and styles, but also to promote and share Ohara Ikebana within the local community.

Building an Organization for the Future

As Central Ohio Shibui grew, we also worked deliberately to build the organizational foundation needed to support that growth.

We established formal governance and bylaws, financial and banking systems, membership and certificate tracking, online registration and payment systems, regular member communications, and the administrative infrastructure needed to support classes, events, and student advancement.

In 2026, we took additional steps toward long-term sustainability by formally registering the organization in Ohio, obtaining an Employer Identification Number and vendor's license, and establishing the legal and financial framework for an independent organization. Our Chapter application documented much of that organizational development.

While our Chapter application was being reviewed, another important milestone arrived: in August 2026, Central Ohio Shibui received recognition from the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

That is a story we'll share in greater detail another day.

This Recognition Belongs to Our Members

Chapter recognition is an important milestone, but it isn't a finish line.

Central Ohio Shibui began with a single class in January 2024 and a simple hope that there might be enough interest to sustain regular Ohara Ikebana study in Columbus. What followed exceeded anything we imagined.

This recognition belongs to the members who came to class, pursued certificates, attended workshops and lectures, volunteered at events, welcomed newcomers, shared their arrangements, introduced friends to ikebana, and helped create a community centered on learning and sharing the Ohara School.

It also connects our new Chapter to the generations of teachers and students who sustained Ohara Ikebana in Central Ohio long before Central Ohio Shibui existed.

We are deeply grateful to the Ohara School of Ikebana, Headmaster Hiroki Ohara, and the staff at Headquarters for their recognition of Central Ohio Shibui and for their assistance throughout the Chapter application process. We are also grateful to the teachers, organizations, community partners, and friends who have encouraged us along the way.

On September 1, 2026, the Central Ohio Shibui Study Group became the Central Ohio Shibui Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana.

We are proud of what our members have built together—and excited to begin the next chapter of Ohara Ikebana in Central Ohio.