Japan House facts for kids
Japan House is a special place at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was started in 1976 by Shozo Sato. This center is part of the College of Fine and Applied Arts.
Japan House helps people learn about Japanese culture. It has three traditional tea rooms called Chashitsu. There's also a beautiful tea garden (Roji) and a Japanese rock garden. Students and community members can take classes here. These classes teach about the Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese Aesthetics, and Ikebana (flower arranging). Each year, Japan House also welcomes international students with a special event.
Contents
History of Japan House
How Japan House Began
A Japanese artist named Shozo Sato came to the University of Illinois in 1964. He started teaching the Japanese tea ceremony. At first, he taught in different places, even his own home. Many people loved his classes.
After some years, a university leader named Morton Weir noticed how popular the tea ceremonies were. He helped Professor Sato use an old Victorian house on campus. This was the first home for the tea classes.
Building a New Japan House
In the early 1990s, Professor Sato retired. The old Victorian house was later taken down. But the community still wanted a place for Japanese culture. Professor Kimiko Gunji, who had worked with Professor Sato for a long time, helped make a new plan.
She asked a tea school in Japan, the Urasenke Foundation of Tea, for help. They agreed to donate two new tea rooms! With this amazing gift, Professor Gunji and Roger Martin worked to raise more money. They received support from groups like the Japan Illini Club.
The New Home for Japan House
The university chose a spot in the Arboretum for the new Japan House. Architects designed the building. A Japanese master carpenter, Seiji Suzuki, came to install the three special tea rooms. The new Japan House officially opened on June 18, 1998.
Since then, Japan House has hosted many events. These include tea ceremonies, presentations, and performances of traditional Japanese culture. It also works with other university places, like the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, to bring Japanese art and shows to campus.
In 2012, Professor Jennifer Gunji-Ballsrud became the third director of Japan House. She took over after her mother, Kimiko Gunji, retired. Soon after, Professor Shozo Sato, who started it all, returned to the area.
Events and Programs at Japan House
Japan House often opens its doors to everyone. You can visit during special events like tea ceremonies. They also have Spring and Fall Open Houses with visiting artists and garden tours. Every August, they host the annual Matsuri Japanese festival.
Workshops and Classes
Japan House offers many fun workshops. You can learn about Japanese cooking, calligraphy (beautiful writing), and how to wear a yukata (a traditional Japanese garment).
University Classes
Students at the University of Illinois can take these classes at Japan House:
- ARTD 209: Chado, the Way of Tea
- ARTD 299: Japanese Aesthetics
- ART299: Japan House Internship
Community Classes
Local community groups also meet at Japan House:
- Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association
- Illinois Prairie Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America
James and Lorene Bier Gardens at Japan House
The beautiful gardens at Japan House were designed by James Bier. He also helps take care of them with volunteers. The gardens are free to visit from morning until night. However, the special walled tea garden is closed when there is ice for safety.
