PK + SOSHO KOIKE
MALLORCA MEET JAPAN
” I was truly honoured to collaborate with the pottery maker Paparkone, who was visiting Japan from Mallorca, Spain. Paparkone created a unique vessel for me to work with and display at the Japanese team house, Chashitsu Tea Time, in Osaka. With its elegant and playful curves and versatile structure, this stunning dusky olive green/biege piece presented so many opportunities for me to combine Paparkone`s simple, fresh and Mediterranean style with Japanese ikebana.
Connecting both Spanish and Japanese cultures together, this installation draws on the use of the material of rice as a theme to show the various stages of life.
An the bottom of this piece I used earth taken from rice fields, anchoring this display in the ground, showing both the origin of the rice and the soil that is used in the ceramic of the piece; the beginning of this artistic creation`s journey.
At the base of the pot are the roots and straw of a rice plant , or “inewara”, which are harvested after the rice to be used in various ways such as tatami and in religious rites.
Then, following up and growing through the piece a “Shimenawa”, or sacred rope appears. Shimenawa, which are ropes made from rice straw, are traditionally used in Shinto rituals for purification and in sacred spaces. Adorned through the shimenawa is rice, evoking the image of life having risen and been pulled from the earth, reaching upwards. The yellow accent is a playful nod to Spain, and the sun which gives life to creation.
I endeavoured to approach the beauty inherent in ikebana, its presence, and its pared-back elegance. While this is by no means a lavish ikebana arrangement, I arranged it hoping it might become a work imbued with a significance beyond mere decoration. I do not consider beautiful, luxurious flowers or plants to necessarily be the essence of beauty. I consciously composed the arrangement to capture the moment with both the floating, airborne rope and the yellow rope, evoking the colours of the Spanish flag, which are bound together by a firm bond.
In this collaboration, Mr Roberto and I, together, harvested the new bounty of the earth, gave thanks to the land, and were mindful that our cultural exchange would further develop and ascend to a higher level.”
Sosho
A wheel-thrown ceramic piece crafted in our Palma studio.
This container emerges from the dialogue between form and function, designed to exist in multiple states. It can rest, hang, or tilt: each position reveals a new possibility for accommodating floral installations. Like a cocoon in constant metamorphosis, it reflects the changing nature of what it is destined to contain.
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The piece springs from an intimate collaboration with ikebana artist Sosho, conceived as a silent offering. In this transfer of the object, ceramicist and ikebana master engage in dialogue where each interprets their own natural and sculptural vision. The container thus becomes a blank canvas, a paper upon which the ikebana artist will write their vegetal story, in the same way we narrate through our ceramics.
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It is a bridge stretched between two cultures, two perspectives that converge in the same profound love for craftsmanship and art. In this union, ceramics transcends its materiality to become the silent accomplice of an artistic expression that honours both Mediterranean pottery tradition and the contemplative philosophy of Japanese ikebana.
We cordially invite you to experience this work, nestled within the tokonoma of Chashitsu Time tea room, located at 西区靭本町1-16-14, Osaka. Sept -Oct 2025
Commitment to Education
Koike not only creates art but also dedicates himself actively to knowledge transmission through workshops and demonstrations. His educational work, both in Japan and abroad, contributes to keeping the tradition of ikebana alive whilst adapting it to modern sensibilities.
Currently, Sosho Koike continues creating installations, delivering workshops and developing artistic collaborations, establishing himself as a significant contemporary voice in the international world of ikebana.
Sosho Koike / Ikebana Artist
Sosho Koike is a distinguished ikebana artist of the Sogetsu School, born in Hyogo, Japan, in 1975. His artistic journey began formally in 2012 when he entered the prestigious Sogetsu School of Ikebana, one of the three principal schools of this Japanese floral art, recognised for its contemporary and experimental approach.
Artistic Career
From his early beginnings, Koike has demonstrated a remarkable ability to merge the ancient tradition of ikebana with contemporary sensibilities. His international recognition came early in his career, earning the Silver Prize at the Sogetsu School International Competition in 2015, merely three years after beginning his formal training.
International Presence
Koike’s work transcends Japanese borders, having established a significant presence in the United Kingdom through numerous exhibitions and workshops. His collaborations include work with ceramicists such as Jack Doherty at Newlyn Art Gallery, demonstrating his capacity to dialogue with other artistic disciplines and create unique multisensory experiences.
Innovation and Collaboration
What distinguishes Sosho Koike is his innovative approach to traditional ikebana. His projects include fascinating explorations such as “Noh Masks & Plants”, where he combines Noh theatre masks with floral arrangements, creating a poetic dialogue between different Japanese artistic expressions. His installations in venues such as CHASHITSU and Y Gion in Kyoto reflect a profound understanding of both traditional aesthetics and the contemporary possibilities of floral art.
