CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The art of obimusubi – otherwise known as Japanese sash tying – will be among the highlights of the spring open house April 8 at the University of Illinois’ Japan House.
The public is invited to tour the house, located at 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Japan House is home to the UI’s program in Japanese cultural arts, which is directed by art and design professor Kimiko Gunji.
Throughout the day, members of the UI Urasenke Tea Study Group and Urasenke Chicago Chapter will conduct tea ceremony demonstrations. Visitors also may view an exhibition of art by students enrolled in courses offered at Japan House.
Other scheduled open-house activities include:
• 11 a.m., announcement acknowledging the Savoy Rotary Club’s donation of a Kasama Ware ceramic bowl.
• 2 p.m., “The Art of Obimusubi (Japanese sash tying) by Toshie Kasada, a specialist from the Habuki Kimono School, Tokyo. Kasada’s visit coincides with the April 1 establishment of the Kimono Resource Center at Japan House, made possible largely through a gift from the Habuki school.
