In Japanese, collaborative ikebana creations are primarily referred to as kyōdōsaku (共同作) or kyōdō-sakuhin (共同作品), which broadly translate to "joint work" or "collaborative artwork". These pieces range from casual group arrangements in workshops to large-scale, avant-garde installations built by teams of masters.

The Renka style was developed by Hiroshi Teshigahara, the third Iemoto of the Sogetsu school in the 1990s as a way to encourage group creativity and collaboration. Hiroshi Teshigahara highlighted the “interesting” aspect of Renka, where the “range of expression can be expanded by the clashing or the concurrence of two individual styles”. The unpredictable outcomes of collaborative work are valued.

Today, you will frequently see it featured by study groups, international museum committees (like the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Flower Committee), and local branches around the world as a way to build community and challenge artists to think outside their comfort zones.

A fun group of ikebana friends gathered at Patsy's home to create Renka.. Renka is an emerging, collaborative style that mirrors the traditional Japanese poetic game of renga (linked poetry). In a Renka session, participants arrange flowers one after another, building upon the previous person's placement to create a continuous, evolving story of the seasons.

It is hard to see the actual 8' tall arrangment due to the background of trees, but enjoy our experience in these photos. We all had lots of fun and then went out to lunch.