This week, UIUC’s Japan House — located near the Arboretum in Urbana — is hosting its first ever “Gallery Week,” an opportunity for the public to peruse its collection of Japanese scrolls and kimonos, stroll through the Japanese gardens, and witness a traditional tea ceremony. Observatory tea demonstrations will take place on Wednesday, May 13th, and Friday, May 15th, at 2 p.m. Participatory tea ceremonies will take place on Thursday, May 14th, at 3 p.m. and Saturday, May 16th, at 2 and 3 p.m. These ceremonies require a reservation, and information about bookings is available at Japan House’s official site.
[Editor’s note: As of this publication date, the Gallery Week tea ceremonies are full.]
The history of Japan House begins in 1964, when, according to the Japan House website:
Shozo Sato, then artist-in-residence at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and now Professor Emeritus in the School of Art and Design, initiated a series of courses in the art and culture of Japan. Using an old Victorian house he worked to create both curriculum and practicum opportunities for students, with an authentic physical setting in which to teach Japanese culture.
When that house was lost in the redevelopment of campus, the dream of a permanent home for this initiative began. The current facility, funded primarily through generous private contributions, was dedicated in June of 1998 with Kimiko Gunji as director. The focus of the traditionally Japanese styled structure is its three authentic tea rooms surrounding a large class and activity room.
This past Monday, I attended one of the observatory tea ceremonies, and it is an experience I highly recommend. The instructor leading the ceremony called it a kind of “living art,” and I couldn’t think of a more accurate description. Though the ceremony performed was only a basic, “beginner’s” ceremony — one which is taught to U of I students who take introductory tea ceremony classes — I marveled at the grace, delicacy, and precision of the instructor’s movements. Further enhancing the experience was the ceremony space — called a chashitsu — which felt intimate and personal, giving the impression of a ballet performed in a living room.
Following the ceremony, I was given a guided tour of the various types of kimonos and scrolls and was then left to my own devices to explore the exquisite Japanese gardens surrounding the building.
If you’re wondering if a tour of the gardens is available, the answer is Yes:
You are always welcome to walk through the gardens on your own. They are open dawn to dusk spring through fall. For safety reasons, the tea garden with its rocky path is closed during the winter. Guided tours of the gardens are offered occasionally during the summer as well as during our spring and fall open houses. Guided tours for groups can be arranged for a $50 donation.
I encourage you to head over to Japan House this week and allow the cultural aesthetics to enlighten and enrapture you. Just be ready to leave your shoes at the door.
As for cost, pricing for Gallery Week events go as follows: tours are free; $5 for bowl of tea; $8 for general public tea ceremony/$6 for U of I students.
To learn more about Gallery Week, check out the official Facebook event.
Photos by Angela Nostwick.