Japan House Spring Open House

2000 South Lincoln Avenue,Urbana IL 61802

15 April, 2023

Description

You are invited to our annual Spring Open House on Saturday, April 15 featuring Kevin Faris, bonsai Practitioner and Landscaper, and the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association. Starting at 11am, traditional Japanese tea ceremonies will be offered by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association. Tickets per person ($14 Student/ Tomonokai Member; $18 General Public) are required to attend a tea ceremony; no walk-ins will be permitted. Additional ceremonies will be held at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Tea ceremony guests are treated to a bowl of freshly whisked matcha and wagashi, a special Japanese sweet made in-house from recipes in “The Art of Wagashi,” by Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji. Please dress appropriately, legs are covered traditionally in Japan. All guests will be asked to remove shoes (or use shoe covers) when entering Japan House, and to wear socks if participating in a tea ceremony. Guided Garden Tours will also be offered at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. Cost is $5 per person with a maximum of 20 guests per tour. Ticket holders should meet in front of Japan House near the stone lantern. The 30- to 40-minute tour will encompass the Tea Garden and the Dry Rock Garden, designed and installed by Jim Bier. In case of inclement weather, Garden Tours will be cancelled and refunds will be issued. At 3pm, featured guest Kevin Faris, Ohio-based bonsai practitioner and landscaper, will be giving a FREE presentation on the Art of Bonsai. The Open House will conclude with a bonsai repotting demonstration outside Japan House on the driveway to the south. The presentation is free, but $5 donation is encouraged. Space is limited to the first 40 guests. In between tea ceremonies, a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter Japan House to quickly view the facility and the beautiful collection of bonsai. Kevin Faris is the owner and operator of Faris Landscape & Design. Originally from Oregon, Kevin lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife where he studies Horticulture at The Ohio State University. Kevin is a member of the Bonsai Society of Portland, Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society, Columbus Bonsai Society (Board Member and Director), and American Bonsai Society. He is a founding member and first President of the Bonsai Club at The Ohio State University, a student organization established in 2022. Kevin’s personal connection to bonsai started as a child spending time in nature among the trees of the Pacific Northwest. When he was 7 years old, he saw his first bonsai in his hometown of Tualatin, OR and was instantly fascinated with seeing trees in miniature. Kevin creates outreach opportunities for people to understand the art and practice of bonsai by providing classes for children in elementary schools and giving lectures for his local club. Through bonsai, Kevin wants to share a practice that can create lifelong friendships, an understanding and love of nature, as well as a sense of community. Listen to Kevin's Podcast: Bonsai Time Podcast The Bonsai Time Podcast covers how bonsai history intersects with the stories of individual people and the science of keeping tiny trees alive and healthy. We aim to provide monthly interviews that are both entertaining and educational for those curious about or trying to get better at growing bonsai trees. _________ FAQs What are my transport/parking options getting to the event? Japan House is located in the Arboretum at the University of Illinois at 2000 S. Lincoln Avenue between Kirby/Florida and Windsor Road. Parking is available in the lot to the north of Japan House (F-31 at St. Mary's Road and Lincoln) and to the south of Japan House (F-32 on Lincoln across from the Vet Med complex). Spaces are marked with a placard and must be paid with Mobile Meter (https://mobilemeter.us/) or Park Mobile (https://parkmobile.io/ ) phone apps, or by calling 217-207-3033. After 5pm and weekends all parking spaces are free. There are bike racks near both parking lots. Weekend buses stop at PAR/FAR and will require additional 10-12 minutes walking to arrive at Japan House. Please plan accordingly. The front door is located on the north side of the building. Please allow plenty of time to park and get to the front door so we may start on time. Is my registration/ticket transferrable? No. Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event? You do not have to bring your ticket. We will just need your name. The name on the registration/ticket doesn't match the attendee. Is that okay? The purchaser of the ticket can go to "My Tickets" and change the name to whomever will be attending. What if I want to purchase more than 10 tickets or schedule a special group? We are happy to work with you to schedule a group for another time. Just call us at 217-244-9934. We can also talk about scheduling a tea ceremony at a special time for you, depending on availability. What is the refund policy? You registration is refundable if you contact us at [email protected] prior to 24 hours before the date of your reservation. Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event? The tea ceremony is for all ages. Children are welcome as long as they are able to sit quietly throughout the ceremony. Admission is required for all regardless of whether they partake in the tea and sweet. What is Tomonokai? How can I support Japan House? Tomonokai are "Friends of Japan House". The Tomonokai program was established in 1998 with a goal of supporting Japan House programming and events and promoting an understanding of Japanese Arts and Culture. This tax deductible membership entitles you to special member benefits including discounts on events and merchandise, and vouchers for private tea ceremonies. Japan House is non-profit and fully relies upon the generosity and kindness of supporters to continue to provide our campus and community vibrant programming that is immersive, engaging, and most importantly, that celebrates diversity! Consider becoming Tomonokai, or Friend of Japan House, or support by clicking here.