Mme Hiroko Ikuta, 96 years old, passed away on January 14, 2026 at her home in Gardena surrounded by her children and grandchildren.  She was born in Kure, Hiroshima in 1929 and began her study of Japanese tea ceremony, flower arrangement and calligraphy at 11 years old. After graduating from women’s college in 1951 she married Reverend Kanshu Ikuta who was soon after assigned a missionary post with the Nichiren Buddhist Church in Seattle Washington.  In 1952, following the birth of their son, Mme Ikuta joined her husband in Seattle, Washington.  In the years that followed, three daughters were born and Mme Ikuta dedicated her spare time to Nichiren Buddhist Women’s Association where she began teaching some Japanese tea ceremony and flower arranging.

In 1958, Rev and Mme Ikuta moved to Los Angeles and established what was to become Gardena Honpoji Betsuin.  In 1965, Mme Ikuta co-founded with her husband, Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai (The American Society for the Study of Calligraphy) and Omote Senke Showa-kai.  During the years that followed, Mme Ikuta's shodo excelled and she was awarded a top honor by Japans’ Sankei International Sho Association.  Mme Ikuta became a judge with Sankei International Sho, Tokyo Seishinsha and served as executive member of Toyo Shojin Rengo.  In 2006, Mme Ikuta  received The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays from the Japanese government, ten years after Reverend Ikuta received The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.   In 2006 she was awarded the Sankeis' Takamadonomiya Award.

Mme Ikuta will be remembered for her passionate promotion of traditional Japanese art and culture through her teaching and exhibitions of her work in the US and Japan.  During the past 60 years, Ikuta Sensei has taught calligraphy and Omote Senke Japanese tea ceremony to thousands of students from a variety of backgrounds.  She introduced shodo art to the general public through Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai demonstrations and exhibits during Nisei Week an Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo and her artwork at the Budokan in Little Tokyo, as well as commercial work for Disney, LACMA, “The Last Samurai” film, and "Letters From Iwo Jima” film. 

Mme Ikuta believed in commitment to the welfare of the Japanese Community and nurturing of junior members within the community.  Using her leadership skills and experience she worked tirelessly for the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California where she serviced as Vice-President and President for many years

Mme Ikuta is predeceased by her husband, Reverend Kanshu Ikuta who passed away in 2007.  She is survived by her children Yoichi (Misa), Keiko Ikuta, Tomoko (Steve) Sakurai and Nobuko (David) Mau; grandchildren Kyle (Jeanne) Ikuta, Sandi (Joey Kawasaki) Ikuta-Kawasaki, Lee Ung (Runei) Matsumoto, Sky Ung, Scott (Kacey) Sakurai, Kaitlynn (Christopher) Bernal and Cody Mau; and seven great-grandchildren.

A private funeral service will be held at a later date.