CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Shozo Sato, the founding director of Japan House on the University of Illinois campus, will be the special guest at the Japan House’s annual fall open house, on Oct. 2.
A professor emeritus in the School of Art and Design, Sato is a renowned master of traditional Zen arts with expertise in ikebana (flower arranging), chanoyu (tea ceremony), sumi-e (ink painting) and Japanese theater. Sato’s contributions in teaching Japanese traditions were recognized by the emperor of Japan, who presented him with the Order of Sacred Treasure.
At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Soto will give presentations on sumi-e, the art of painting with black ink.
At 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., James Bier, the designer of the gardens at Japan House, will host garden tours.
Tea ceremonies will be performed throughout the day by the Urbana-Champaign Association of Chado Urasenke Tankokai.
All events during the Open House, to be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., are free and open to the public.
On Oct. 3 from 1-4:30 p.m., Sato will host a workshop and demonstration on the art of black ink painting. He also will sign copies of his most recent book, “Sumi-e: The Art of Japanese Ink Painting” (Tuttle Publishing, 2010).
The fee for the black ink workshop is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers, which includes paper, ink and use of a brush. Participation is limited to 20 people. No experience is required.
To register, contact Nancy Quinn, the secretary at Japan House, at 244-9934 or
e-mail ngquinn@illinois.edu.
Japan House is located at 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana.
Information about the open house and other events sponsored by Japan House is available on the Web or by calling 244-9934.
