JAPAN HOUSE

Free Performance by Wariki, Tiffany Tamaribuchi and Ho Etsu Taiko on May 4, 2013

The ancient legacy of taiko drumming and traditional arts of Japan will be highlighted in a performance by Wariki, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, and Ho Etsu Taiko on Saturday, May 4th, 7PM at the Spurlock Museum, located at 600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL.  Presented by Robert E. Brown Center for World Music, Japan House, and the Spurlock Museum, this concert supports the first American Midwest appearances of Wariki, a virtuoso father-son performing arts duo from Japan who weave elements of traditional music, dance, drumming and folklore into tapestries of sound and movement.  For this special evening performance, Akira Katogi and Raiya Katogi of Wariki are joined by renowned Sacramento-based taiko artist and teacher Tiffany Tamaribuchi and the Chicago-based percussion ensemble Ho Etsu Taiko.  This event is open to the public and admission is free.  For more information, please visit http://cwm.illinois.edu

Wariki will also make an appearance that day between 1:30-3:30pm at Japan House as part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month AsiaFest Celebration.  Organized by the Asian American Cultural Center at the University of Illinois, AsiaFest is a large pan-Asian celebration showcasing the rich diversity within Asian cultures. Please call (217) 333-9300 or e-mail aacc@illinois.edu for more information.

 

Biographical Information

Wariki is a combination of two Japanese traditional folk entertainers. Akira Katogi was trained as a child in traditional Japanese dance as part of renowned artist collective Warabiza. Before forming his own touring ensemble, he was a member of taiko group Ondekoza. His son Raiya Katogi joins him in Wariki to create art grounded in Japanese tradition. Wariki weaves elements of music, dance, drumming and folklore into a rich tapestry of sounds and spirits to create performances that fulfill the meaning of their group’s name -Wariki, the power of harmony. This is Wariki’s first visit to the American Midwest.

Tiffany Tamaribuchi founded the Jodaiko women’s taiko ensemble in 1988 and the Sacramento Taiko Dan in 1989. Winner of the 2002 Otaiko Hibike All-Japan Odaiko content, Tiffany is an internationally recognized taiko teacher and artist who has toured internationally with many Japanese and North American professional taiko groups, including Ondekoza, the Hanayui Ensemble of Kodo, Imafuku Yu & Yui, Shidara, San Francisco Taiko Dojo and Taikoza.

Chicago-based Ho Etsu Taiko brings passionate energy and lively spirit to the rich tradition of taiko. Their bright, energized sound infuses taiko’s cultural legacy with new vitality and bridges the tradition with fresh experiences and influences. Ho Etsu Taiko has performed throughout Chicago and the Midwest, with notable appearances at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Chicago Cultural Center.

Children's Day Meets AsiaFest on Saturday, May 4, 2013!

Our annual celebration of Children's Day has gotten much bigger and much better! We have joined forces with the Asian American Cultural Center to combine our Children's Day event and their celebration in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month into one special afternoon called AsiaFest!

On Saturday, May 4, 2013 (rain or shine) from 1:00 to 3:30 you can join us for our traditional Children's Day activities such as Ikebana, origami and calligraphy for the kids. We have also brought in a Kimono teacher from Japan who will be dressing children in kimono! The Ho Etsu Taiko group from Chicago who have performed so wonderfully in the past will also be here---but they are bringing special artists from Japan and San Francisco! 

There will be a tent and stage near the beautiful Japan House gardens with much more! AsiaFest will be a large pan-Asian celebration to showcase the rich diversity within Asian cultures. There will be traditional and modern performances by talented local artists that include Bal Vihar, a local children’s singing group, the Philippine Student Association, RAAS team, Illini Awaazz A Capella, among others. There will also be cooking demonstrations where people can learn to cook and sample some of their favorite dishes. Children and adults alike will enjoy the interactive cultural educational booths that include calligraphy, ikebana, mendhi, and more!

Everything is free and open to all. Please join us!

Made possible, in part, by a University of Illinois Public Engagement Grant

Click HERE for more information!

Spring Open House

It's that time of the year: the Japan House Spring Open House is coming up on Saturday, April 13th from 10 to 4! 

We have a renowned Mizuhiki artist Hisako Tsutsui come over to give a presentation from us all the way from Tokyo, Japan. Tea ceremonies will be held throughout the day by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association at a reduced rate of 5 dollars (and free for Tomonokai members) and a Japan House garden tour will be conducted by Jim Baer at 1 and 3.

It's going to be an exciting day! 

Ready to bloom!

We have waited, waited and waited.

While pictures of amazingly beautiful cherry blossoms and people enjoying o hanami (cherry blossom viewing) were flooding our newsstream from Japan, we had a snow day here at Central Illinois. But no need to worry. That is a thing in the past.  As the last few days have been warm and cozy, the cherry trees here at Japan House are doing just fine. Look, the buds are ready to pop open in any moment! 

 

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And be ready when they do blossom, because you'll be blown away by their sheer beauty. 

In the mean time, enjoy some pictures of cherry blossoms  from last spring at Japan House.

 

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 Hanami time is almost here.

Oni Wa Soto! Fuku Wa Ochi! I Think We Did It!

Thank you all who attended our Setsubun Festival! I think we successfully banished the demons and welcomed happiness, and spring, inside!

Thank you all who came out and celebrated Setsubun with us last Sunday. Over 150 people attended! We were all very humbled by the attendance and your enthusiasm. We hope you all had a good time and remembered to chant "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa ochi! [Demons out, happiness in]" while you were throwing your soybeans. If you have any suggestions or comments about the event feel free to leave a comment on this blog. We love to hear your feedback. If you missed the event, don't worry we have more coming your way! If you would like to receive emails about our upcoming events and much more please feel free to subscribe to our mailing list (see the upper right side of this page).

You can find even more pictures over on our facebook page!

Valentine's Day at Japan House!

What better gift for Valentine's Day than a moment of tranquility with a loved one? Our next tea ceremony falls on Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. (please note this time---it was incorrect in a previous email---our apologies!) Enjoy the tea ceremony with a traditional bowl of whipped matcha tea and a special Japanese Valentine's Day treat. You and your valentine will also receive a parting gift of a chocolate heart tucked inside an origami heart wrapper!  Space is limited so call 217-244-9934 or email japanhouse@illinois.edu to make a reservation. It is $8 per person----or a special rate of just $12 for you and your Valentine together!

Setsubun!

Join us in welcoming the coming of spring on Sunday, February 3rd, from 1:00 to 3:00 at Japan House! We are celebrating Setsubun, a traditional Japanese holiday where we welcome the coming of the Lunar New Year and spring by scaring away the demons of previous year. This event is open to everyone.  There will be free arts and crafts, special bean throwing ceremony, and tea and sweets for all that attend. Be sure to mark your calenders!





http://www.facebook.com/events/601434913205768/

Japan House Internships Available!

We are excited to announce a new internship program. If you are a currently enrolled student at the University of Illinois and interested in Japanese culture, this could be a perfect fit for you!

Japan House Internship Program

Japan House is seeking students who are deeply interested in promoting traditional Japanese Arts and Culture. This program will provide students educational opportunities to learn the basics of Chado, the Japanese Way of Tea, the art of Japanese cooking and many other facets of traditional Japanese Arts.  Furthermore, this internship will give students an opportunity to assist in the development of student-focused programming and contribute to outreach efforts through social media.

Qualifications:

• Sincere interest in Japanese Arts and Culture

• Ability to work collaboratively with other interns and Japan House administration

• Demonstrates strong sense of commitment and responsibility with willingness to take initiative

• Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student of the University of Illinois

Semester One

Intern will receive the following:

• 3 hours of academic credit for 300 level independent study under the direction of Director Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud (ARTD 391)

• Scholarship to attend Chado, Japanese Way of Tea, community class during the semester (Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm)

• Pending upon number of participants, fees may be waived for cooking classes or other special events to be held during the semester (dates to be determined)

Responsibilities:

• Maintain approximately 10 hours per week scheduled at Japan House (following the 15-week academic calendar)

• Giving public tours of Japan House on Thursday afternoons and every third Saturday of the month

• Developing and implementing public outreach, specifically focusing on AsiaFest, an event co-sponsored with the Asian-American Cultural Center, to be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013

• Updating and maintaining inventory of Japan House collections including kimonos, scrolls and other Japanese objects

• Assisting in outreach efforts through social media — including blogging, photography and electronic communications

• General assistance in organization of Japan House facilities

• Development of programming specifically targeting students

• Minimum of 2 hours per week assisting James Bier in Japan House gardens (at a regularly scheduled time)

• Attend weekly meeting with Assistant Director Cynthia Voelkl.

Semester Two

Students who complete one semester of Japan House internship will be eligible for a second semester.

• Student will receive $10 per hour for a maximum of ten hours of work per week

• Responsibilities will be comparable to Semester One, focusing on inventory, public outreach, gardening and student programming

• Students will be eligible for scholarship to attend Chado classes

• Students will be asked to assist in cooking classes

• Students will not be able to receive university credit for the second semester

Application Process

Please submit a resume, contact information for three references, and a one-page essay explaining your interest in Japanese culture, how this internship would be related to your educational and career goals, and why you would like to be a Japan House intern.

Application should be emailed to Cynthia Voelkl, Assistant Director at cvoelkl@illinois.edu. Application must be received by January 8, 2013. Follow up interviews to be conducted the week of January 14, 2013.

Download a pdf of this info:  Download Japan_House_Internship.

Taiko Drumming, Garden Tours and Tea Ceremonies: 10/27/12

Join us for our Fall Open House on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will be two free 30 minute performances by the acclaimed Ho Etsu Taiko group from Chicago. If you have never seen this incredibly energetic ensemble drumming you are in for a treat! If you HAVE seen it then you know you'll want to be here. Ho Etsu Taiko will perform at 11:00 and 1:00---hopefully outside Japan House if the weather agrees.

Garden tours by Jim Bier, the designer, donor and caretaker of the Japan House gardens will take place at 12:00 and 2:00 and are also free to all.

Tea ceremonies will take place throughout the day (except during taiko performances) and are free for Tomonokai members and at a special reduced price of $5 for others.

While you're here at Japan House you can enjoy the beautiful colors of the Japanese gardens and the surrounding Arboretum. You'll also be able to see the newest addition to the Japan House gardens: a 300 year old stone lantern donated by Shozo Sato.

Jim Bier (l) and Shozo Sato (r) with the 'new' lantern

 

Garden Clean Up Day Cancelled!

Due to the weather forecast for tomorrow---and how muddy the ground is already, we will have to cancel the Garden Clean Up Day scheduled for Sunday, October 14, 2012. We will reschedule and cross our fingers for better weather next time!

Thanks to those that had volunteered to join us for this day of garden work!