"RELEASE" ～ Akane Teshigahara Solo Exhibition for 20th Anniversary (2021 / Sogetsu Kaikan annex Atelier, Tokyo)

In the solo exhibition "RELEASE," commemorating the 20th anniversary of her succession of Iemoto, the venue was the atelier, which is the heart of the Sogetsu School and the place of creation for successive Iemotos. The works appeared everywhere on the site - inside the building, on the exterior staircase, in the adjacent workplace for iron processing, and even in the dust box, creating a wonderful fusion of unexpected places. The main work was an installation of a huge sphere made of steel and plants, and Sofu's work was incorporated as part of the installation, which became a topic of conversation.

"CONNECT" ～ Akane Teshigahara Solo Exhibition for 20th Anniversary (2021 / Sogetsu WEST, Kyoto)

The Iemoto's first solo exhibition in Kansai entitled "CONNECT" transformed Sogetsu WEST into a space enveloped in plants. The main feature of the venue was the bamboo installation, and the early summer plants were also arranged vigorously in the Iemoto's self-made glass vases, created specifically for this exhibition. The Iemoto's attention to detail was evident everywhere, from the display stand made of a combination of fossil wood and iron to the use of Japanese Washi paper on the walls, meaning that the entire venue could be enjoyed as a piece of artwork.

（2020）

Sogetsu Foundation called for the crowdfunding to support the flower industry, which has been seriously affected by the coronavirus pandemic. With well-wishers’ donations, Iemoto Akane created a huge spherical installation using 5,000 "Southern Wind" glory lilies. The funding was very successful and over-achieved its target by far.

（2019）

The 101st Sogetsu Annual Exhibition was held at two venues: the Spiral Garden, a cultural complex in Omotesando, and the Sogetsu Kaikan. In the first venue, the Spiral Garden, the Iemoto created a bold yet delicate work of bamboo that reached almost to the ceiling. Visitors enjoyed going through a bamboo tunnel made of extensive radial bamboo pieces.

（2019）

At the second venue, the Sogetsu Kaikan, the Iemoto created two large-scale works which were displayed at the front of Sogetsu Kaikan. She wished to make Ikebana a more accessible and familiar art for people and her works attracted many passers-by, when some of them said that they saw a large-scaled Ikebana for the first time. This was a challenge for Iemoto and rewarded by very positive response from people outside the Ikebana world. The work was richly composed of bamboo, Japanese apricot with moss, pine, princess tree, Japanese winterberry, Citrus natsudaidai and camellia, while skillfully integrated with the Sogetsu stone monument and Isamu Noguchi's "Tokobashira".

（2019）

Longwood Gardens, situated in the suburbs of Philadelphia, USA, is known as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. The collaborative project was a long-held wish for both Sogetsu school and Longwood gardens and finally was realised in 2019. This work, entitled Kodo (pulse), had a total length of about 8 m (26 ft.), making it one of the Iemoto's largest ever works. The Iemoto says, "I expressed the birth of unknown life with intricate bamboo swells." The work integrated with the beauty of the gardens was admired and praised for its graceful and dynamic expression. Sogetsu Atelier staff from Japan, Longwood Garden staff, and the members of local Sogetsu groups worked together for two weeks to create this splendid installation.

（2019年）

"Japonismes 2018: Souls in Resonance" was held in Paris, France from 2018 to 2019 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of friendship between France and Japan. In the official program "Ikebana Floral Art", the Iemotos and the designated successor Iemotos of the five different ikebana schools—Ikenobo, Ichiyo, Ohara, Misho and Sogetsu—got together to hold a joint exhibition, the first of such event in the long history of Ikebana. In this large Iemoto's work on a Japanese ancient period court carriage , the contrast between the straight and curved lines of round and split bamboos create a striking beauty with early spring flowering branches.

（2019年）

A small work displayed in the exhibition at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris. A mossy wood with bold movement was combined with fruiting branches such as lovely Japanese orange and nandina in an imposing round basket.

(2006)

The work produced for the TVCM "Red Flower" version of Hitachi Digital High Definition "Wooo" in 2006.
In this work, 1000 pieces of gloly lily which can be said to be synonyms of Iemoto Akane are used, its size is 7 m in width and 2.5 m in height.
Gloly lily's burning red and the dynamically undulating wisteria vine's expressions leave a vivid impression.

(2011)

Iemoto Akane solo exhibition celebrating her 10th anniversary as the Iemoto, held at the Spiral Garden in Omotesando, Tokyo in May 2011.
In the hall built in the wellhole style, 100 pieces of round bamboo were raised in a dignified manner and bands of spilt bamboo ran around freely in the space. The invigorating energy of the work blew a breeze into our hearts, which were falling apart due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, and brought courage and hope to us.

(2006)

The Shiro-shoin (white chamber) is an official chamber to welcome distinguished guests, consisting of the Ichi-no-ma(first room), the Ni-no-ma (second room) and the San-no-ma (third room). The most important Ichi-no-ma or Shimei-no-ma is divided into two levels. On the walls and fusuma (sliding doors), historical events related to the Emperors Yao and Shun in ancient China are drawn.
Her work invites viewers into a different dimension beyond time and space, using massive pine and princess trees suitable for the magnificent Japanese room together with bright-colored Chinese peonies at the bottom .

(2007)

"Teshigahara Akane Solo Exhibition: Ikebana Through My Eyes" which was held at the Nihombashi Takashimaya Department Store in March 2007 to celebrate the Sogetsu 80th Anniversary.
This work emitted an overwhelming sense of the vitality of flowers and trees encountered upon going through the "Waves of Beginning," a tunnel made of 60,000 paper-thin sheets of wood! Her work, which sought to make visitors experience ikebana with all five senses, generated huge excitement.

(2014)

"Ikebana Live" is Iemoto Akane's performance which shows the process of arranging flowers in a space on a stage along with music and lighting. She started this project in 2008 and has performed in various places not only around Japan but also worldwide.
This photo was taken during the Ikebana Live at the Gunma Music Center where she demonstrated ikebana creation with the Gunma City Philharmonic Orchestra.

(2015)

This piece of Iemoto Akane's work was exhibited at the Sogetsu Annual Exhibition held at the Nihombashi Takashimaya Department Store. Do you think the lit-up object made of Japanese washi paper at the center looks like the kanji "心" which means heart? It's a dynamic yet warm work which gently embraces the heart of viewers.

(2018)

The photo shows Iemoto Akane's work for the Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition held at the Shinjuku Takashimaya Department Store under the theme of "vases" for ikebana: "What are vases?" or "What role does the vase play?" The purple glass container was designed by the Iemoto herself. In addition to this, she has frequently visited the Sogetsu Ceramic Kiln in Fukui Prefecture to make various ceramic vases.