From the director
“What kind of place is Japan House?” “What makes people want to visit Japan House?” “ What does Japan House offer?” “What is the long-term goal?” These are some of the questions I have been asked quite often.
As many of you know, Japan House is located in the University Arboretum at the south end of the campus, flanked by two beautiful Japanese gardens. It offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Students and all other visitors savor the serenity in the midst of their busy lives.
There are three academic classes offered at Japan House. They are “Japanese Tea Ceremony and Zen Aesthetics,” Rigidity and Flexibility in Japanese Art and Culture,” and Japanese Aesthetics through the Art of Japanese Flower Arrangement.”
Japan House hosts a Fall and Spring Open House every year and features special aspects of Japanese culture and arts. Japan House is open to the public every Thursday afternoon and offers the tea ceremony twice a month. Local school children and many community organizations visit Japan House and learn Japanese values and aesthetics first hand.
Students as well as other visitors share their enthusiastic reactions with me about their experiences at Japan House. Their positive comments encourage me to commit myself to making Japan House very special, where one can not only acquire new knowledge and enrich one’s life, but also find peace within oneself and help promote peace and understanding throughout the world.
I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt gratitude to those who have been giving strong support and commitment to Japan House for all these years. And I would like to extend my invitation to those who have not had a chance to get involved in Japan House’s programs.
“What is it, “Kokoro”?
It is the sound of the pine breeze there in the painting.”
Above is the poem by the priest Ikkyu, one of the greatest Japanese Zen monks in the 15th century. “Kokoro” is the Japanese word inclusive of heart, mind and spirit, which is like the sound of the pine breeze in the painting. Thus, we cannot see nor hold it, but if it is executed well, we can hear it. I do hope with all of our tireless effort and dedication for the betterment of Japan House, we can hear the sound of world peace in the near future.
I wish you good health, happiness and most of all, peace in 2008.
Kimiko Gunji
Director of Japan House
