We sadly report the loss of Wako Henjyoji, who died at the age of 98 on January 26, 2019, following several years of declining health. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 31, 1:00 p.m. at the Henjyoji Temple. (2634 SE 12th Ave., Portland, OR 97202)

Much of her long life was devoted to the study, introducing and teaching ikebana.  In 1940, Bishop Daiyu Y. Henjyoji and Mrs. Henjyoji established their temple and the Saga Goryu school in Portland. After the war, in the 50’s they actively taught, demonstrated and held ikebana exhibitions up and down the West Coast. In 1961, when her husband became head of the Jobodai-in Temple in Koyasan, Japan, Mrs. Henjyoji remained in the U.S. to continue what they had established. She officially retired in 2010, though she continued to teach.

Mrs. Henjyoji was among the 63 signers of the Charter establishing the II Portland Chapter 47 of Ikebana International in 1961. The ikebana community is grateful for her dedication, contributions and inspiration.

Only a few of us remain, who had the privilege of regarding Mrs Henjyoji as our Sensei. The following is what comes to mind in our remembrances:

“おまかせします …” From my first lesson with Henjyoji Sensei omakase shimasu, “to turn it over to …” was a phrase she often said. Her trust and faith that Kobo Daishi will take care of what needs to happen was strong. After she did what she could (teaching, arranging, planning events) Henjyoji Sensei would release her ego from the outcome and have Kobo Daishi (universe/nature) take over and the outcome will be as it should be. Her calm demeanor when making an arrangement or putting on an exhibition reflected this deep belief that things would work out.  As I progressed, honing my skills, she continued to encourage with this phrase. The life lesson I learned from this one phrase is do the best that I can, release my ego from the outcome, and it will be what it should be.  — David Komeiji

“Whenever she touched flowers, the flowers became alive and seemed to transform into different creatures. The end results were always stunning.” — Michiko Kornhauser

Mrs. Takeo remembers “hosting gatherings for Mrs Henjyoji to teach ikebana to company wives from Japan, who wanted to make arrangements for their events.”

Whether it was a quick glance at my bucket of plant material for class or her quiet contemplation of an arrangement, she was fully present in the moment.  Noticing small details about a flower, leaves, branch, or an arrangement, Mrs Henjyoji displayed an attentiveness and a remarkable absence of distracting thoughts and emotions. And, after stepping back and letting go, she rarely looked back. Learning how to see is a challenge I happily and gratefully accept from Henjyoji Sensei. — Julie Nakao