- Students of the Ikenobo flower arrangement school celebrated the New Year in Kyoto with a traditional ceremony.
- Approximately 800 students participated in the event, starting with a visit to the Rokkakudo temple and followed by floral arrangement workshops.
- Participants expressed hopes for positive thinking and future growth through their floral arrangements.

A: Hey! Did you see anything interesting in the news today?

B: Not really! What’s up?

A: Apparently, students from that famous flower arrangement school, Ikenobo, had their New Year ceremony in Kyoto!

B: Wow, really? Ikenobo is super traditional, right?

A: Yeah! It’s supposed to be really old, like from the 14th century! About 800 students were there.

B: That's a lot of flowers! Where did they start?

A: They began at Rokkakudo temple, where Japanese flower arranging began! Then they went to a workshop.

B: Did they just…arrange flowers?

A: Well, the next head of the school, Ikenobo Senko, gave them advice. She showed them how to use branches and stuff.

B: That sounds fancy! What did she say?

A: She said she hopes people can stay positive, even when things are tough.

B: That’s a nice message. Did the students say anything?

A: One university student said she was happy to arrange the flowers however she wanted. She put a tall pine in hers, hoping to be strong when she starts working!

B: Aw, that's sweet! And the little kid?

A: A fifth grader was a bit nervous, but she arranged flowers and wished for a good year!