JAPAN HOUSE

Tours this afternoon....

We'll be open for tours this afternoon as we are every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  No cost and no need for reservations---and you can take a break in the cool Japan House gardens afterwards....

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Even on warm, humid days like today, the peace and stillness of the Japan House gardens can cool and revive you.  The gardens are always open and have many spots for rest and contemplation.

Japan House reopens for the school year!

It's hard to believe that the school year is upon us but we are happy to be open once again here at Japan House.  Public tours will be available on Thursday afternoons between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and on the third Saturday of every month between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. No reservations are needed for these free tours so please stop by.

Our tea ceremonies are offered on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.  The fall 2007 dates are thus:

August 23, 2007
September 13, 2007
September 27, 2007
October 11, 2007
October 25, 2007
November 8, 2007
December 13, 2007

Reservations are needed for the tea ceremony and they often fill up quickly so please call 244-9934 if you are interested. The cost is $5 per person. It is a very special way to experience Japan House. We hope to see you.

Summer 2007

Japan House will be open for tours this summer on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. as well as on the first and third Saturday of the month, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tea ceremonies will resume in the fall and can be reserved by calling our office after it reopens on August 13, 2007.

Please take time to enjoy the Japan House gardens this summer.

The end of May in the gardens

Sweets

Beautiful sweets served during Dr. Sen's visit.

Dr. Genshitsu Sen of the Urasenke Tea School

May 13, 2007 was a very special day for  Japan House.  Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the former Grandmaster of the urasenke Tea School visited Japan House before receiving an honorary degree during the 2007 University of Illinois commencement ceremonies.  It was a great honor to have Dr. Sen here---many members of the Chicago Chapter of the Urasenke Tea School came down for the event and members of our own Tea Study Group were greatly honored at being able to serve tea to this great man.

Here is Jeff Wallace of our Tea Study Group, along with Professor Gunji serving tea to Dr. Sen (left) and Consul General Kenji Shinoda:

The Urbana-Champaign Association of Chado Urasenke Tankokai with Dr. Genshitsu Sen:

Dr. Sen talks with Japan House supporters Chancellor Emeritus Mort Weir and Ceil Weir:

Hosta leaves

May color

May leaves