Intensive Japanese Garden Study in Japan

The Research Center for Japanese Garden Art and Historical Heritage is pleased to announce the 15th annual English language intensive course in the history, design theory, landscape ecology, and practice of the Japanese Garden.

The two-week program (July 30 -August 10, 2012) offers serious students from abroad a number of unique opportunities to study the Japanese garden. Some days will be divided between site visits and lectures on campus, but there will be several all-day excursions as well. On-site lectures will be given in some gardens that are usually not open to the public. The 15th seminar is now in the process of accepting applications for review and selection. In order to provide maximum personal attention, we strive for a group limited to not more than 25 students. However, if there are not enough applications, and the resulting number of selected participants is less than 20, the seminar may be canceled.

Anyone with a serious interest in Japanese gardens can join the two-week Intensive Seminar Plus at a cost of 420,000 Japanese yen (about $5,380 USD at ¥78/$1). Students under the age of 35 who are enrolled full time in a school or university can participate at a reduced fee of 350,000 Japanese yen, but have to submit proof of their age and full-time enrollment. This seminar fee covers: all lectures, entrance fees and transportations to site visits, excursions, course materials exclusive for participants, and rooms with breakfast in a comfortable inn (13 nights at shared rooms) for the duration of the course.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2012 PROGRAM MUST BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 29, 2012.
 Download the 2012 Japanese Garden Intensive Seminar pdf pamphlet.

Yukima no kusa

 
I have had a few requests to see what the sweets were like for Hatsugama.  I neglected to take photos of the sweets last week, but this week I re-created them for the introduction class that started today. 

Yukima no kusa is the poetic name, it means the sprouts under the snow.

Calendar

Upcoming Events for Issoan Tea School

Januray 21, Introduction to Chado 10 week class begins, 1:30 -3:00
January 29, Kagetsu at Meiko'sensei's house 1:30- 4:00 pm
Feb. 3rd  International School of Beaverton demo 5-8 pm
Feb. 15, Beginning chanoyu - tray style 10 week class begins 7:00-8:30
Feb. 16, 17 18, 19  Portland Garden show  demos.  Thursday afternoon through Sunday
Feb. 26 Kagetsu class at Mieko sensei's 1:30 -4:00

Win a Trip to Japan!

Japan National Tourism Organization is giving away free trips to Japan - open to the US only.
Spring 2012 will be a special season as it marks the centennial anniversary of Japan's Gift of Trees to the U.S. To celebrate this anniversary, we're giving you and a guest the chance to explore Japan inside and out. Read through all 6 itineraries, pick your favorite, and enter for your chance to win your dream vacation!

Heritage
Indulgence
Gourmet
Adventure
Modern Art
Pop Culture

Go here to enter and for more details.

The Artist's Touch, The Craftsman's Hand

Today I went to the Portland Art Museum's Exhibition of Woodblock Prints from their collection, The Artist's Touch, The Craftsman's Hand.   It was a spectacular review of the history of woodblocks from the late seventeenth century to the present day.  The museum owns more than 2,500 works and is showcasing a selection of some 250 of the most historically important and visually compelling Japanese prints in the collection. I must say it is a fabulous exhibition, but hurry in to see it as it only lasts until January 22.

Before or after your visit, I recommend my friend Tomoe's, Behind the Museum Cafe, on Southwest 10th.  I had the matcha set which includes a Japanese Tea sweet and bowl of matcha, whisked by Tomoe.  She also serves sandwiches, onigiri (Japanese rice ball), pastries, and other types of Japanese green tea and, if you must, coffee. There you can also see ceramic artist Motoko Hori's works and antiques from Ryokusuido Antique shop.

What a wonder way to relax after the intensity of Hatsugama.