JAPAN HOUSE

Paper Cranes for Peace

In these times of war, and horrors like the Virginia Tech killings, our need for peace is more important than ever. The evening of Wednesday, May 2, 2007, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will be a very special one at Japan House.  Members of our Cultural Enrichment Volunteer Group, students from the Peace Over a Bowl of Tea Group, and all others who wish to attend, will come together to talk about the need for peace in this world and within ourselves, while folding cranes for peace.  Professor Gunji will conclude the evening by serving all a bowl of tea.

It is a Japanese legend that upon folding 1000 cranes (senbazuru) the folder is granted a wish. People from around the world have long sent origami cranes to Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan as a symbol and wish for peace.  Professor Gunji will be leading a Intercultural Study Tour, sponsored by the Campus Honors Program, to Japan on May 21st and will bring the cranes to Peace Memorial Park.  Each crane will include the name of the folder and any wishes they want to include. 

The Japan House Cultural Enrichment Volunteer Group is a group of current and prospective Japan House volunteers who meet monthly during the academic year for presentations of Japanese culture and the chance to drink tea and share good conversation.  The Peace Over a Bowl of Tea Group is a new group consisting of Campus Honors students that meets monthly.

No experience in origami is needed, only the desire to join us in wishing for peace.   We also invite school groups, other groups, and individuals to contribute cranes (please contact Japan House for necessary details). Call (217) 244-9934 or email japanhouse@uiuc.edu for more information.

Japanese Calligraphy

Next Wednesday will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about contemporary  Japanese calligraphy----as well as practice creating your own!  Krannert Art Museum joined us to bring renowned Japanese calligrapher, Eishi Sakuta, here to campus.  He will give a lecture/demonstration at the museum at 2:00 next Wednesday and his work will be on display in the gallery.  The event is free and open to the public---we hope you join us!

That evening at 5:30 he will conduct a workshop here at Japan House.  Participants will be limited to twenty people so please contact us asap if you are interested.  No experience or particular knowledge is required for participation.  Download the flyer for more details or call us at 244-9934.

Download sakuta_workshop_flyer_42007.pdf

Spring Open House

Despite the cold rain and intermittent snow (!), our Spring Open House was a great success.  You KNOW visitors really want to learn about the gardens when the willingly take a tour in the pouring rain!

Chancellor Emeritus Morton Weir was honored by Consul General Kenji Shinoda with a commendation by Foreign Minister Taro Aso.  Congratulations Mort and thanks also to the Consul General for his wonderful talk!

Spring Open House

Please join us for our Spring Open House this Saturday, April 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  The Honorable Kenji Shinoda, Consul General of Japan at Chicago, will give a short talk at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Japan and Illinois: Partners for Today and Tomorrow. 

James Bier, designer and builder of the Japan House gardens will lead a garden tours at  1:00 and 3:00 and tea ceremonies will be performed throughout the day by the Urbana-Champaign Association of Chado Urasenke Tankokai.  Ikebana by Art 108 students will also be on display.  It's a wonderful chance to see Japan House and the gardens, learn about Japan and of course, enjoy a bowl of tea.  We hope to see you!

the green and white of spring...

Gardens and blossoms

Another wonderful Wednesday evening filled with great information, good company and lots of tea....thanks to Jim Bier for sharing his knowledge of Japanese gardens with the enthusiastic group!

Our group gathered behind the cherry blossoms....the branches cut and brought inside due to the impending frost:

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Cherry Blossom Time

It's April and our cherry tree is blooming!  Treat yourself to a visit to the Japan House gardens where you will find the vibrant pinks and greens of spring....

Also, don't forget to join us Wednesday evening, April 4 at 5:00 p.m. for our Cultural Enrichment Group meeting.  Jim Bier will speak about the Japan House gardens and we will also discuss volunteer opportunities for both the gardens and upcoming Japan House events.  We hope to see you!

Indianapolis Museum of Art Bus Trip

The trip to the Indianapolis Museum of Art was a wonderful success!  Thank you to everybody that joined us for a day of Asian Art and spring gardens.  We hope to offer more trips like this in the future---feel free to send any suggestions you might have to japanhouse@uiuc.edu.