The ancient floral art of ikebana has been practiced since the Muromachi period with roots from earlier centuries, and is considered one of the traditional arts of Japan.  

The Ohara School of Ikebana was founded in Japan in 1895 by Unshin Ohara in the Meiji period.

The Ohara School's Toronto Chapter was founded almost fifty years ago by merger of the Toronto Ohara Club and Etobicoke Ikebana (Ohara School), as authorized by the Ohara School of Ikebana's Tokyo Headquarters on May 13th, 1974.  

Our local chapter's founding president, was the late Mrs. Toshiko Yoshikawa, who built and grew the chapter from 1974 to 2005. 

Our first elected president was the late Mrs. Hodo-Michiko Mizoguchi who presided from 2006 to 2012 and from 2014 to 2016. 

Our immediate past-president Mrs. Ming-Li Wu, served from 2021 to 2023 and previously from 2016 to 2021.

Our current president, Mrs. Mitzi Yau was appointed by Headquarters for the term 2023 to 2025 and was previously appointed 2012 to 2014. 

We are over fifty active members and volunteers including twenty-five (25) members who are master level or above.

Heika style arrangedment by Headmaster Hiroki Ohara