Japanese Floral Art Comes to Life at Lucerna and the Mucha Museum
28 October – 1 November 2026 | Prague
At the end of October, Prague will become the setting for a special encounter between Czech and Japanese art. Japanese ikebana master Shigyoku Hieda returns to the Czech capital with her team to present a contemporary interpretation of the Japanese art of flower arranging. The programme Ikebana – A Bridge Between Cultures will bring together specialist training, public floral installations at Café Lucerna and the Mucha Museum, and weekend workshops introducing traditional Japanese arts.
The project is organised in collaboration with the Prague Sogetsu Study Group (PSSG), the Czech-Japanese Society, the Mucha Foundation Art Museum, Novotný Glass, and other Czech and Japanese partners, with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic.
The visit also takes place at a symbolic moment: 2026 marks 30 years of the Prague–Kyoto sister-city partnership, while in 2027 the Japanese Sogetsu School of ikebana will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
Shigyoku Hieda and the Art of Sogetsu Ikebana
Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, is much more than the creation of floral decorations. It explores line, space, asymmetry, movement, and the relationships between natural materials. Each arrangement is a unique artistic composition in which flowers and branches are just as important as the empty space surrounding them and the vessel that holds them.
Japanese master Shigyoku Hieda is a representative of the Sogetsu School and is visiting Prague for the second time. This time, she is accompanied by a team of seven, who will participate in a specialist educational programme, collaborative exhibition installations, and live ikebana demonstrations.
The Sogetsu School, founded in Tokyo in 1927 by artist Sofu Teshigahara, introduced a new perspective on the traditional art of ikebana. It emphasises individual creativity, experimentation, and the use of unconventional objects and artistic techniques alongside plant materials. Its philosophy is based on the belief that anyone can create ikebana, anytime and anywhere.
This freedom of artistic expression and the connection between tradition and contemporary creativity are central themes of the Prague programme.
Ikebana at Café Lucerna: An Exhibition Open to Everyone
28–31 October 2026 | Café Lucerna, Prague
The first public part of the programme will be an ikebana exhibition in the historic setting of Café Lucerna.
On Wednesday, 28 October, a full-day specialist workshop will take place at Lucerna Palace, where members of the Prague Sogetsu Study Group will work under the guidance of Shigyoku Hieda and her team. The resulting arrangements will then be displayed directly in Café Lucerna, where visitors will be able to admire them until the end of the week.
The exhibition offers an opportunity to encounter ikebana in the familiar surroundings of everyday life. Alongside traditional floral compositions, it will showcase the creative possibilities of the Sogetsu School and the individual approaches of its artists.
The exhibition will be freely accessible to visitors of Café Lucerna from 28 to 31 October.
Japanese Ikebana at the Mucha Museum: Language of Flowers
From 30 October 2026 | Mucha Foundation Art Museum, Na Příkopě, Prague 1
The second major exhibition project will be a special ikebana installation at the Mucha Foundation Art Museum.
Bringing together Japanese floral art and the work of Alfons Mucha creates a fascinating dialogue between two artistic traditions. Both share a sensitivity to natural motifs, expressive lines, harmony, and the decorative qualities of composition.
While Mucha’s Art Nouveau style captures flowers and botanical ornaments through painting and graphic art, ikebana works directly with natural materials in three-dimensional space. The result is an encounter between two distinct yet complementary artistic approaches.
The exhibition arrangements will be created by Shigyoku Hieda and her Japanese team, in collaboration with teachers and advanced students of the Prague Sogetsu Study Group. Visitors can look forward to both smaller floral compositions and larger spatial installations responding to the museum’s unique environment.
An important part of the project is the collaboration with Czech glassmaking partner Novotný Glass, which will provide a collection of artistic glass vases for the exhibition. Some of these vessels are being created especially for the occasion.
In ikebana, the vase is not merely a practical accessory. It is an integral part of the artwork, with its shape, colour, and material influencing the overall expression of the composition.
The combination of Czech art glass and Japanese ikebana adds another dimension to this cultural collaboration, demonstrating how two different artistic traditions can come together to create new aesthetic possibilities.
The special installation will open to the public on Friday, 30 October, as part of a visit to the Mucha Museum. Standard museum opening arrangements and admission fees apply.
A Weekend at the Mucha Museum: Experience Japanese Arts First-Hand
The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme organised by the Czech-Japanese Society. On Saturday, 31 October, visitors can take part in two hands-on workshops exploring other forms of Japanese aesthetics and traditional crafts.
Saturday, 31 October, 11:00–12:30 | Japanese Calligraphy
Japanese calligraphy, known as shodō, combines the art of writing with personal artistic expression. Like ikebana, it emphasises harmony, concentration, rhythm, and the beauty of a simple gesture.
Under the guidance of Japanese instructor Kaoru Ishida, participants will learn the basics of working with a brush and ink and try their hand at writing Japanese characters. The workshop offers a chance to slow down and discover the beauty of traditional Japanese art through personal creativity.
The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. All materials will be provided.
Duration: 90 minutes
Capacity: Maximum 12 participants
Registration: Book the Japanese Calligraphy Workshop
Saturday, 31 October, 15:00–16:30 | Mizuhiki: The Japanese Art of Decorative Knots
Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese craft involving the creation of decorative knots from special cords. In Japan, these knots are commonly used in ceremonial gift wrapping and to mark important life events, with different knot styles carrying symbolic meanings.
Under the guidance of Květa Capaliniová, participants will create their own reflective pendant featuring a camellia-shaped knot and a reflective tassel. The floral motif naturally connects this Japanese craft with the world of ikebana and the decorative art of Alfons Mucha. Each participant will take home an original handmade accessory.
The workshop is also suitable for beginners.
Duration: 90 minutes
Capacity: Maximum 12 participants
Registration: Book the Mizuhiki Workshop
Places at both workshops are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Thirty Years of the Prague–Kyoto Partnership and the Approaching Sogetsu Centenary
The project Ikebana – A Bridge Between Cultures also carries a broader symbolic significance. The year 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the partnership between Prague and the Japanese city of Kyoto, two cities with rich cultural histories and a deep appreciation for art and tradition. The programme celebrates this milestone through meaningful cultural collaboration between Czech and Japanese artists.
At the same time, 2027 will mark 100 years since the founding of the Sogetsu School. Over the past century, what began as a pioneering approach to ikebana has developed into an internationally recognised artistic movement, with active groups around the world.
Sogetsu ikebana has been taught in Prague for more than thirty years. The Prague Sogetsu Study Group has long been dedicated to ikebana education, organising workshops, live demonstrations, and exhibitions while helping to introduce Japanese culture to Czech audiences.
Shigyoku Hieda’s visit is therefore more than a one-off cultural event. It is also an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships and encourage the exchange of knowledge between Japanese masters and Czech students.
Collaboration That Connects Cultures
The project is made possible through the collaboration of numerous institutions, artists, and volunteers.
Alongside the Prague Sogetsu Study Group and the Czech-Japanese Society, the programme involves the Mucha Foundation Art Museum, which provides a setting for the exhibition installations and accompanying cultural activities, and Novotný Glass, whose artistic vases bring together Czech glassmaking and the Japanese art of flower arranging.
The project takes place with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Czech Republic. Lucerna Palace and Café Lucerna are also important partners, providing a venue where the arrangements can be enjoyed by the wider public.
Plant materials for the ikebana arrangements are also being provided with the assistance of the Malešice Botanical Garden. Members of PSSG and other collaborators are actively involved in the preparation and delivery of the programme.
The shared aim is not only to present the beauty of Japanese culture, but above all to create opportunities for personal encounters, collaborative creativity, and lasting cultural relationships between the Czech Republic and Japan.
Come and discover the many expressions of Japanese art – from floral compositions and calligraphy to traditional decorative knots.
Up-to-date information about visiting the exhibitions and booking the accompanying workshops will be available through the Czech-Japanese Society and the Mucha Foundation Art Museum.