The Oct. 25 performance of “Hidden Beauty: Yugen in Tea, Noh, and Contemporary Washi Art” is one of the events celebrating the 10th anniversary of Japan House at its present location. The performance will explore some of the key aesthetic traditions of Japanese art through three different art forms.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Japan House will celebrate its 10th anniversary at its present location, 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, with a series of special events beginning Oct. 22, highlighted by a performance of “Hidden Beauty: Yugen in Tea, Noh, and Contemporary Washi Art” at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
Shozo Sato, professor emeritus of art and design and the founding director of Japan House, will give a brief introduction to the Noh performances.
The performance will explore some of the key aesthetic traditions of Japanese art through three different art forms: a traditional Japanese tea ceremony; Noh theater, a form of Japanese musical drama that dates to the 14th century, with renowned master Akira Matsui and his troupe of performers; and contemporary “washi” artwork (literally, “Japanese paper”) by Japanese artist Kyoko Ibe.
Shozo Sato, professor emeritus of art and design and the founding director of Japan House, will give a brief introduction to the Noh performances.
Affiliated with the U. of I.’s College of Fine and Applied Arts, Japan House is an educational facility that fosters the study of Japanese arts and culture through courses, seminars, community outreach programs and visiting artist programs. The
3,120-square-foot facility opened in June 1998 and houses three tea rooms, two of which were donated by the Urasenke tea school in Kyoto.
“It’s hard to imagine that it was 10 years ago that this unique facility opened its doors and the gardens were planted,” said Kimiko Gunji, the director of Japan House. “We look forward to sharing this celebration with the campus community as it’s our belief that learning about another culture encourages appreciation and respect for all cultures – the key to peace throughout our world.”
Other activities planned during the celebration include a workshop with a kokoro calligraphy artist on Oct. 22; a reception for Tomonokai (Friends of Japan House) members on Oct. 24; a traditional Japanese tea ceremony on Oct. 25; and a demonstration of the ancient folk art of “amezaiku,” a method of sculpting hot taffy-like candy into animal shapes on Oct. 26.
More information about the anniversary celebration is available on the Web at http://japanhouse.art.uiuc.edu, or by calling 244-9934.
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