Nakaba Emtesali

Nakaba Emtesali is a Certified 2nd Associate Master of the Ohara School of Ikebana with a lifelong passion for Japanese floral design. She began practicing Ikebana in middle school in Kobe, Japan, the heartland of the Ohara School, and later deepened her expertise through advanced study in the United States.

Nakaba has shared the beauty and artistry of Japanese flower arranging through numerous demonstrations and workshops across San Diego, engaging diverse audiences, introducing them to the principles and techniques of Ikebana, inspiring creativity, nature appreciation, and cultural understanding while fostering a sense of harmony and mindfulness through floral design.

She is an active member of the San Diego Wabi Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana, the North American Ohara Teachers Association, and Ikebana International San Diego Chapter. Currently, she teaches weekly at the Golden Door in San Marcos, offers Ikebana classes through Poway Unified School District’s wellness programs, UCSD, and Poway Adult School, and provides private lessons in Sabre Springs. She also works as a florist in Rancho Peñasquitos, creating arrangements in both Japanese and Western styles for weddings, events, and everyday occasions.