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Ikebana (the ancient
Japanese art of flower
arrangement) and leading
edge technology don’t
seem like natural partners,
yet Ms. Eikou Sumura has
been using a recordable
Walkman for more than 20
years to refine her teaching
skills in this ancient
art form.
Sony standsfor captivatingproducts

Sony first caught my eye when I was a young child

When I was a child, I was captivated by the Sony products. I saw them at elementary
school and on billboards on the way to school. The novelty of Sony, which was some-
how different and “newer” than other electronics, left a lasting impression on me. I
remember reading the autobiographies of Sony founders, Masaru Ibuka and Akio
Morita. I was impressed by their dedication to corporate citizenship. What particularly
struck me was their efforts to create employment opportunities for disabled people.
When I was growing up, like most people in Japan, I was fascinated by American culture.
The Sony Plaza in Ginza was like a variety store offering a slice of American life. It was
an ideal place to see the kinds of things you couldn’t find in Japan back then and I often
went there. Sony has been an important part of my life.

Good instructors should listen to themselves

I have used a recordable Walkman for more than 20 years. I use it mostly to record myself
explaining the principles of ikebana and giving demonstrations during class. Later when I
play back the recordings they allow me to identify things I can improve on, even things
like the tone of my voice. As a teacher, the ability to hear yourself in the third-person is
extremely important. I strongly recommend this technique to my advanced students
who are teachers themselves.
Eikou Sumura Master Instructor, Sogetsu Headquarters
A native of Tokyo, Eikou Sumura began studying ikebana in 1953 and from 1963, worked as an assistant to her
father, the famous ikebana master Kousoku Sumura. She became a director of the Sogetsu Ikebana Instructors
Association in 1973. Ms. Sumura has traveled the world conducting demonstrations and workshops. Always looking
for new challenges, she recently began collaborating with a French chef.
Eikou Sumura URL: http://www.sumuraeikou.com

Like a memopad, my IC recorder

is always by my side

I bought an IC recorder not long ago, not for recording
my classes but to record ideas that come into my head
or phrases that I don’t want to forget. It’s smaller than
a Walkman, so I can take it with me everywhere. I even
keep it by my bed at night.
Eikou Sumura