Eiko Suzuki has been teaching Ikebana for almost 40 years. She received a Ph.D in Aesthetics in the USA. Eiko concluded in her dissertation that the basic spirit of ikebana comes from the attitude of respect and affection of the ikebana arranger towards the plant materials.
What do you think Japanese companies and/or government needs to do to help women in Japan?
For the children of Japan to be good international citizens in a global world, Eiko believes government and companies should place greater importance on the education of Japanese history and culture. As part of that, it is her hope that women assume roles of greater importance.
What advice do you have for the next generation of women in Japan?
Plan out your future, set your own goals and stay true to them. Don’t waver from your goals unless you yourself judge it to be unavoidable, and then be brave enough to adjust your goals. If you are serious and work hard towards a goal, then you will achieve it.
鈴木榮子はいけばなを40年近く教えています。彼女は、いけばな制作者は植物に対して愛情と尊敬の念をもっていけることが、いけばなの精神であると論文にまとめ、芸術学博士号を取得しました。同様の姿勢で人間関係を築くと、平和な世界に近づくことになると信じています。