JAPAN HOUSE

Cherry Blossoms Fading

What bad luck for me! The cherry blossoms reached their peak while I was still home for spring break and I missed it! Even though I rushed to Japan House when I returned to campus, most of the blossoms were already gone.

However, as I wrote last week, in Tea Ceremony aesthetics, flowers are not only beautiful in full bloom. One must appreciate the young bud and the withered blossom alike. In fact, I believe the transience of the cherry blossoms makes them all the more beautiful!

So, I hope you all get a chance to see the blossoms as they fade away. It is truly wonderful to see the petals strewn on the ground and polka-dotting the trees! The blossoms aren’t gone yet, so come see them while you can!

Riki Bongen

Japan House Student Volunteer

Cherry Blossoms and the Beauty of Buds

When I saw the cherry trees today I was so excited because we're one week closer to full blossoms. However, I had to remind myself that in Japanese aesthetics, the beauty of buds is admired as well.

Japanese flower arrangements for Tea Ceremony are created with the season and the way of nature in mind.  As Sen Rikyu (the founding father of Tea Ceremony) would say, “Arrange the flowers as they are in the field.” One should arrange the flowers in such a way as to enhance their own natural beauty.  By looking at a few flowers in a vase, one should be able to see the beauty of all flowers. Thus, instead of only using perfect flowers in full bloom, using closed buds as well can be much more beautiful because it invokes the idea natural flowers and the coming of spring!

 

  Bibliography

“Tea Life, Tea Mind” by Soshitsu Sen

Riki Bongen

Japan House Student Volunteer

Come Visit the Garden

Just a couple weeks ago, we opened up the Japan House garden for the spring. With all the wonderful weather we’ve been having, why don’t you come check it out?

I know I've walked through the garden a million times, but in the true spirit of ichi  go ichi e,  every time is different. When I took these pictures, I heard crunching leaves and assumed that someone was in the garden ahead of me. What I found instead was this squirrel was enjoying the garden as well! 

Riki Bongen

Japan House Student Volunteer

Japan Disaster Tea Dedication/Messages of Hope

Don't forget:

On Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:00 am, we will be holding a One Year Memorial Tea Dedication for the victims of the Japan tsunami disaster. You will also have the opportunity to write a message of hope and support to attach to an origami crane. We will be sending these to the children of some of the communities hardest hit by the events.

As a recent visitor from Japan shared with us---what is needed most is expressions of hope and support.

We hope you join us. No reservation is needed.

Cherry Blossom buds!

Last week I noticed that very early cherry blossom buds were already forming on Japan House's trees! So, I've decided to take pictures about once a week to check their progress.

Last Thursday:

Today you can even see a bit of green and pink in the buds:

Don't forget to place a bet on when the cherry blossoms will bloom. The winner gets free vouchers to a Tea Ceremony!

 

Riki Bongen

Japan House Student Volunteer

One Year Memorial Tea Dedication for Victims of Japan Disaster

On Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:00 am, we will be holding a One Year Memorial Tea Dedication for the victims of the Japan tsunami disaster. You will also have the opportunity to write a message of hope and support to attach to an origami crane. We will be sending these to the children of some of the communities hardest hit by the events.

As a recent visitor shared with us---what is needed most is expressions of hope and support.

We hope you join us. No reservation is needed.

This event is co-sponsored by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association.

Ichi Go Ichi E

Hello everyone! I’m Riki Bongen, a junior in biology at the University of Illinois. I also study Tea Ceremony and give tours at Japan House.

When I was asked to write blog posts for Japan House, I was honored and very excited. However, as I actually sit down to write my first one, it’s a bit overwhelming. This is my opportunity to share my love for Japan House as well as my knowledge of Japanese arts and culture with the world. I have to do it right. Once this is posted, there’s no going back. Sure, I’ll write more posts, but this one will be beyond any editing. The moment will be gone.

Thus, I have decided to write about the Japanese saying, “一期一会,” (pronounced ichi go ichi e). It means “One time one meeting”. It is one of my favorite concepts that I’ve learned at Japan House. Practically, it tells us to appreciate every moment for itself. Even the things we do every day (such as making a cup/bowl of tea) have meaning in a different way each time we do them--we must recognize that. This phrase motivates us to do everything with our whole heart. No moment will ever come again so we must make the most of it!

So, I will make the most of my posts here and do my best to share with you what I know of Japanese traditions and the happenings of Japan House. 

Want to Bet on the Cherry Blossoms? Free Tea Ceremony Vouchers!

We just spent some time gathered outside with a few colleagues from the University Arboretum talking about upcoming plans for the gardens and what will be happening this spring and summer.  Look for more planting of native grasses along the edges of the ponds by the Arboretum and placement of some trees and benches by Japan House.  It is exciting to think of and hard to believe how soon the cherry trees will be blooming.

Does anyone want to make a bet on when the cherry trees will bloom this year?  Will the mild winter throw off their regular schedule?  Perhaps not a bet....but a guess anyway....  And I'll throw in two vouchers for a free tea ceremony to whomever is closest!  Pick the date that at least 50% of one of the cherry trees is in bloom.  Only the first correct guess gets the vouchers!  Leave a your guesses in the comments!

Ready, set, GO!

 

Old Friends, New Friends and Calligraphy

It's been such a pleasure and honor to have Professor Shozo Sato here on campus, holding calligraphy workshops here at Japan House as well as preparing for Lady MacBeth: A Kabuki Play at Krannert Center (don't forget, he will also be at our Spring Open House on April 7, 2012).

One of the many pleasures has been welcoming back former students of Professor Sato.  Last weekend, Lori Moritz Leland, a former student of both Shozo Sato and Kimiko Gunji, came back to campus so that her daughter could attend the calligraphy workshop.  Its is wonderful to see these connections and see the ripples of Japan House's teachings and spirit continue to spread.

                                                                                                                                              post by Cynthia
Assistant Director, Japan House

Winter Morning in the Gardens

There haven't been many snow mornings here this winter so you have to appreciate the beauty while you can.  That's what I told myself when I decided to take a walk around the Japan House ponds this morning.  Gloves made picture taking a little clumsy but the walk left me feeling energized and peaceful.

If you haven't yet taken advantage of the new walkway around the ponds that the Arboretum put in this summer you must try it.  It affords absolutely beautiful new views of Japan House and the gardens.  This morning the geese appeared to be having an altercation of some sort and as I watched them I saw some kind of furry animal swimming through the pond.  Anyone have an idea of what it might have been?