Fusako Seiga Hoyrup is the President of Wafu School’s California Chapter and the principal teacher for scores of students and credentialed Wafukai teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. She has devoted nearly six decades focusing on studying and teaching ikebana.

Born and educated in Japan, she studied ikebana under the personal direction of the late Wafu School headmaster, Wafu Teshigahara, before moving to the United States and making her home in Cupertino. Mrs. Hoyrup holds a shukan degree in ikebana, which is the highest achievement level in the Wafu School. She currently teaches in Adult and Community Education and also conducts private teaching.

In 1969, Mrs. Hoyrup began teaching Wafu ikebana in South Bay Area colleges and adult education centers. Her classes were the “first of its kind” for instructing ikebana. Since then, her achievements and contributions have garnered many public commendations. Cupertino’s Fine Arts Commission named her “Distinguished Artist of the Year” in 1995. The City of Cupertino awarded her the CREST (Cupertino

Recognizes Extra Steps Taken) Award in 2003 for her outstanding contributions.

During the ceremony, she was also honored with several other commendations including a “Certificate of Recognition” signed by Congressman Mike Honda. Additionally, in five out of the last ten years, she received proclamations from the City of Cupertino for the community contributions of her consummate instruction and charitable example for the people and City of Cupertino.

Every other year she leads her students in producing a large flower show, which fills the Cupertino Community Center and is attended by thousands of visitors. Under her guidance and high artistic and technical standards, many of her students have become artists and teachers in their own rights.

Motivating Mrs. Hoyrup’s dedication is her belief that people’s love of flowers can promote international accord. Mrs. Hoyrup explains, “All people love flowers instinctively. The mutual appreciation of Nature’s mystical beauty can literally bridge cultures, promoting warm relationships and a deeper understanding between individuals. If between individuals, then why not between nations? I would be gratified if I can play even a small part in reducing the tensions in the modern world.”