JAPAN HOUSE

The Week Begins Begins With Fog and Food and Black Ink

Walking up to Japan House this morning was breathtaking---the fog floating around the frosted branches in the garden---just stunning. I could barely see Japan House from a distance and a group of geese were honking from the center of the ponds as though they were complaining about the fog.

Now the fog has receded a bit however and we are getting ready for a busy week here. Today, Tamaki Levy will be doing final preparations for her cooking class tomorrow (unfortunately, or fortunately, it is completely full but there are still spots in the April 3, 2012 desserts class).  I look forward to wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen and hopefully getting a chance to steal a sample or two of different Japanese appetizers.  After that ARTD 299 will meet for a class studying the art of calligraphy with Professor Emeritus Shozo Sato.  Tuesday will see our evening cooking class, Wednesday another ARTD 299 session and on Thursday there will be tours, tea ceremonies and then in the evening our Tea Study group, more properly known as Chado Urasenke Tankokai Association of Urbana-Champaign will meet. In between we will be busy with meetings and preparations for all our other upcoming events.  And no doubt some more beautiful moments in the gardens.

Frost Comes to the Gardens, Tea Ceremonies Available

The frosty mornings are beginning in the Japan House gardens.  We have had to close the walled tea garden.  Unfortunately it is not safe in icy weather.  The rest of the gardens---and the rest of the Arboretum---are open all year round, dawn to dusk however.  One of the greatest joys of the Japan House gardens is that its beauty is just as strong all year long----through spring, summer, fall and now winter.

There are four tea ceremonies scheduled through the end of the year:  2:00 and 3:00 on Thursday, December 8 and Thursday, December 15, 2011.  We have open spots in all at the moment.  Just $8 per person----it is a wonderful way to find a moment of peace for yourself----or to share one with somebody special.  Call 217-244-9934 or email japanhouse@illinois.edu for reservations.

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!