JAPAN HOUSE

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Fall Open House Pictures

We are fortunate to have a wonderful photographer who documents many of our Japan House events.  Charles Hannon has a beautiful touch as you can see in these recent pictures of the gardens, and our Fall Open House in early November.  You can find more at the Japan House facebook page, as well as the facebook page of the Tea Study Group.

You can also find pictures of many Japan House events over the years on our Flickr page.  We hope you enjoy perusing them!

Nestled Within the University of Illinois Arboretum

I attended the annual meeting of the University of Illinois Arboretum Board of Advisors last Thursday afternoon.  Perhaps a two hour meeting doesn't sound like a pleasure...but it was!  It was a great feeling to be with others that care for the Arboretum and are excited to plan for its future.  The Arboretum is an incredible resource for the University, surrounding communities, and through it's trial gardens, the entire Midwest.  Here at Japan House we consider ourselves most fortunate to be nestled within it. 

The mission of the Arboretum at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is to discover, interpret, and disseminate knowledge in the plant sciences and applied arts by providing an aesthetically enriched setting for education, research, conservation and enjoyment.  Some of the major components of the Arboretum include Japan House, the Miles C Hartley Trials Garden, the Idea Garden, the Noel Welcome Garden and the Pollinatorium.  Although Japan House and its gardens are certainly enough of a reason for a visit, there is much more here.  The new walkway around the ponds near Japan House, which I wrote about some time ago, has added an entirely new dimension to spending time in the Arboretum.  The views of Japan House are spectacular---I can't wait for cherry blossom time---or perhaps a snowy day!

There are many plans for the future of the Arboretum, for increased signage, plantings, walkways, etc. Although the future looks exciting, you don't have to wait for any of that.  There is much to do and enjoy in the Arboretum right now.  Tours of Japan House are available on the third Saturday of the month (November 20th this month) from 1:00 to 5:00.  Tours are also available at 2:00, 3:00 and between 4:00 and 5:00 on Thursdays (excepting University breaks).  Tours are free and if you wish to take part in a tea ceremony (available at 2:00 and 3:00 on Thursdays) it is only $8.  Reservations are recommended for tea ceremonies as we sometimes sell out.

Group tours of the Arboretum and the Idea Garden are available upon request and the Pollinatorium is open on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 pm (by appointment during the week).  All tours are free.  The Pollinatorium is accessed off Windsor Road, while the other areas of the Arboretum are accessed off of Lincoln Avenue, near St. Mary's Road.  Click here for a map.

The Arboretum gardens, including those at Japan House, are open from dawn to dusk.  There are still gorgeous colors to see in the landscape.  The Japan House walled tea garden is closed once we have icy weather so plan a visit soon!

 

Many Thanks for a Successful Open House!

Saturday, November 5, 2011 was a beautiful fall day on which to open up Japan House and share tea ceremonies, garden tours and a fascinating presentation on Japanese incense containers used in the tea ceremony.

The Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association served many, many bowls of tea at a special reduced fee of $5.00 (and free for Tomonokai members).  Tea was served outside as well as inside the two main tea rooms of Japan House.  We are most grateful to the Tankokai---without them we would never be able to share the Way of Tea with so many people!

Professor Emeritus, as well as Tea Master and artist,  A. Doyle Moore gave presentations on kogo, tiny Japanese incense containers used in the tea ceremony.  He had also created a number of kogo to be sold to help support Japan House.  Thank to Doyle-Sensei and all of those who purchased a kogo of their own!

Thanks also to Jim Bier who led garden tours in the afternoon.  If you didn't make it, or haven't been to Japan House this fall, try to visit before the leaves are all gone.  The Japanese maples are so red this year that they almost don't look real!  It is a wonderful chance to find a moment of peace in the face of such beauty.

We'll have lots of pictures from  Open House coming soon and we will share them here and on our facebook page.

Fall Open House TOMORROW!

The Japan House gardens and surrounding Arboretum is absolutely gorgeous right now!  Please join us tomorrow for our Open House!  10:00 to 4:00 and free to all.  Come visit us!