Hisako Shofu Shohara, Grand Master of the Ohara School of Ikebana, beloved teacher, and lifelong ambassador of Japanese culture, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, at the age of 97.

Born and raised in Kobe, Japan, Mrs. Shohara came to Los Angeles in 1957 with her husband, Sonny Fujito Shohara (deceased 2012), following the completion of his postwar assignment. Shortly thereafter, she helped establish the Los Angeles Overseas Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana in 1958. She remained a dedicated leader of the organization for more than six decades, serving in numerous leadership roles, including Chapter President from 1981 to 2005.

A gifted educator, Mrs. Shohara taught Ohara ikebana for more than 40 years through Los Angeles City College, Harbor City Community College, the Beverly Hills High School Adult Education Program, private classes, and chapter workshops. She was recognized by Los Angeles City College as its longest-serving continuing education instructor and received a Lifetime Certificate for Teachers of Adult Education from the Los Angeles Community College District.

Mrs. Shohara also served as President of the Los Angeles Ikebana Teachers Guild from 1996 to 2005 and became the inaugural President of the Ikebana Teachers Association of Southern California in 2015. As one of only a few Grand Masters of the Ohara School in the United States, she played an important role in supporting visiting Ohara Headmasters and Professors throughout North America and was an active contributor to the North American Ohara Teachers Association.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Shohara devoted herself to promoting Japanese culture and fostering international goodwill through the art of ikebana. Her many honors included the Japanese American Citizens League and Southern California Japanese Women's Historical Society Woman of the Year Award (2003); Lifetime Membership in the Ohara School of Ikebana (2011); the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation (2016); and the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, conferred by the Government of Japan in 2019 for her distinguished contributions to cultural exchange. In 2015, she was also invited by Ohara School Headmaster Hiroki Ohara to participate in the school's 120th Anniversary Exhibition in Tokyo as one of a select group of guest artists representing North America.

Even after retiring from formal leadership and teaching, Mrs. Shohara remained an active mentor and respected leader in the ikebana community, continuing to advise instructors, participate in exhibitions, and demonstrate the Ohara style. An avid gardener, she cultivated many of the flowers and branches used in her arrangements. Sharing the beauty of ikebana and building friendships through its practice remained her lifelong passion.

Mrs. Shohara is survived by her three daughters, Jane Matsumoto (Terry), Susan Wall (Dr. Michael), and Ellen Minami (Ken); her grandchildren, Kate Matsumoto (Trey Penton), Todd Matsumoto, Tracy Wall (Elliot Gonzalez), Steven Wall, Elise Minami, and Michele Minami; and her four great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Hayden Gonzalez, and Yuki and Javier Matsumoto-Penton.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church 300 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013, under the direction of Fukui Mortuary. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Centenary UMC; Ohara School of Ikebana, Los Angeles Chapter 3735 Wade St., Los Angeles, CA 90066; and Nikkei Senior Gardens 9221 Arleta Ave., Arleta, CA 91331.