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TIMELINE

1998 and 1999

Japan House held its first Open House at the new Japan House in October 1998. The main speaker was Mr. Kozo Toyama who was the President of Japan-Illini Club during the fundraising campaign for Japan House construction. Consul General of Japan, Mitoji Yabunaka and his wife were among the guests of the Spring Open House held in April 1999. The Fall 1999 Open House featured “Imperfect Harmony,” a tea bowl exhibition organized by the Greater Lafayette Museum of Art in Indianapolis, Indiana. This exhibition was partially funded by the Japan Foundation for Global Partnership.

2000

A successful fundraising auction of exquisite kimonos, works of art and Japanese collectibles was held during the Spring of 2000. In October 2000, Japan House and Tomonokai (friends of Japan House) hosted a trip to Rockford, Illinois to visit Anderson Gardens.

The garden was formally dedicated at the Fall Open House in October 2000. Mr. & Mrs. James Bier were recognized for their generous contributions.

2001

In response to the September 11th tragedy in New York City and Washington D.C., Japan House collaborated with J-Net (Japan Intercultural Network) and the Japanese Students Association at the University of Illinois to sponsor the Senbazuru (“one thousand cranes”) project. In Japanese culture, the crane symbolizes happiness, good fortune, and the power of rejuvenation. It is even said that the cranes live 1000 years. The idea for the Senbazuru project originated from a well-known story about a young Japanese girl who was a victim of the atomic bomb during World War II. She folded 1,000 origami cranes, wishing she would get well. Although she died soon after making the last one, people in Japan still practice making 1,000 cranes when they want their wishes to be granted. So, with the help of U of I students and local school children, 3,000 cranes were folded and sent to New York as a prayer for the victims and as a wish for peace in the world.

In an effort to broaden the range of activities offered to the community, Japan House instituted a visiting artist program, which provides a public forum for Japanese guest artists to display their work. In October, Mr. Isao Takahashi, a renowned Hanga (woodblock print) artist from Japan, gave demonstrations and workshops at Japan House and visited local schools to introduce his craft.

Two film screenings were co-hosted by Japan House and the Asian Educational Media Service. In October, “Under Another Sun,” directed by D. David Plath, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology was premiered. The creation of this film was made possible by the financial support of The Freeman Foundation and the Center for Global Partnership. Another film shown in November was “The Turandot Project.” Isabel Wong, Professor of Ethnomusicology, led the discussion of this film.

Seminar Series "Taste of Japan"
Oct. 10, Lecture of the Kikkoman Chronicles by Professor Ron Yates
Oct. 17, The Art of Japanese Sweets by Professor Doyle Moore
Oct. 24, The Art of Hanga (woodblock print) by Mr. Isao Takahashi
Oct. 31, The Art of Tea Ceremony by Professor Kimiko Gunji

2002

At the Fall 2002 Open House, David Wheeler and Yoko Hiraoka, both internationally esteemed musicians, graced visitors with two performances. Seven hundred people attended the open house and many of them had an opportunity to hear the shakuhachi (bamboo flute) played by Mr. Wheeler and the koto (13-string zither) and shamisen (three-string lute) played by Ms. Hiraoka.

A one-day designer trunk show was held on Saturday, November 9, at the home of Ingrid and Bruce Hutchings and showcased designer fashions and jewelry while benefiting programs of the Japan House. The event featured four artists, Melissa Huff of Champaign, a metal smith and enamels artist who creates art jewelry, vessels and small-scale sculpture; Laurie Jacobi from Minneapolis, Minnesota, a designer of custom-made coats and vests for women who also makes wool blankets that depict scenes based on American Indian or Viking legends about animals of the northern forests; Charlotte Knudson, who weaves silk and other fibers into apparel and owns a retail business called Boulder-Space in Denver and Boulder, Colorado; and Junko Katsube, a fabric artist from Japan who uses silk kimono materials to create fashion designs and accessories.

2003

As a capstone to the five years Japan House has existed, special kimono related events were scheduled for fall 2003. Japan House, Spurlock Museum and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts collaborated to create unique events on campus that promoted an understanding of traditional Japanese culture by offering opportunities to learn about the kimono, Japan’s national attire. Kimono Fantasy: Attire from the Heian Court era to the Present Day was presented at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA).

Sen’ei Ikenobo, the 45th Headmaster of the Ikenobo Ikebana, School of Japanese Flower Arranging, along with Professor Takashi Moribe, a senior professor of the Ikenobo School and Ms. Chizu Kiriki visited Japan House on October 19, 2003. The Prairie Ikenobo Ikebana Chapter headed by Professor Kimiko Gunji hosted its sixth anniversary celebration on October 17-19, which included the Headmaster Sen’ei Ikenobo’s Ikebana demonstration, workshops and Ikebana Exhibition by the members.

Dan Keding, storyteller of international acclaim, was the featured artist at the Children’s Day celebration. Mr. Keding is well known for his telling of traditional world folktales and is a well respected ballad singer, accompanying himself on guitar, banjo and spoons.

Part of the “Taste of Japan” series had a workshop given by John Marshall. He is an American fiber artist specializing in the traditional Japanese techniques of Katazome (stencil dyeing) and tsutsugaki (cone drawing). He is internationally noted for his use of color and line to create a unique art-to-wear, turning traditionally inspired aesthetics into contemporary treasures for daily life.

Prue Runkle’s kindergarten class from Southside Elementary School in Champaign chose to study Japan and visit Japan House in spring 2003 as part of the school’s International Month, an activity planned every other year to teach students about other cultures. According to Ms. Runkle, it is one of many activities in area schools to teach students about how big the world is and how important it is to learn about and experience different cultures.

2004

Dr. Kensho Takeshi visited Japan House in April and gave a shakuhachi (bamboo flute) demonstration and workshop of shakuhachi music to University students and the community. Dr. Takeshi got a PhD in Music Education, School of Music, at the University of Illinois in 1996. He is now teaching shakuhachi music at Tokyo Gakugei University in Japan.

In September, Japan House was privileged to host Mr. Takaji Kuroda for a demonstration of his passion, the arts of Suminagashi (paper marbling). Mr. Kuroda is a trained scientist and engineer. His professional life was devoted to NEC where he served as general manager of Space Systems Development Division, Corporate Chief Engineer, and Vice-President. Mr. Kuroda applies his scientific training to the study of his avocation by taking scrupulous notes on the effects of various materials.

In October, Japan House was chosen to be an afternoon tour spot for special guests at the Annual Meeting of the University of Illinois Foundation. Over 60 people from all over the United States visited Japan House and took part in a tea ceremony. They were surprised to find Japan House and its beautiful gardens in the middle of corn and soybean fields.

A special ceremony at our Fall Open House was held to recognize the accomplishment of two of our local treasures: Saburo Muroga, professor emeritus of computer science and Shozo Sato, professor emeritus of art and design and former director of Japan House. Both professors were honored to receive the “Order of the Sacred Treasure” from the Emperor of Japan, which was conferred upon them May 10, 2004 at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Professor Muroga received the “Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” because he is one of Japan’s computer pioneers and a globally significant leader in the extensive field of information processing since the early stages of Japan’s computer era. Professor Sato’s “Gold Rays with Rosette” award came as a result of his contributions to the introduction and promotion of Japanese culture and arts in the United States and for promoting goodwill between Japan and the United States.

2005

On February 27, 2005, Japan House conducted its second auction, held in the Atrium of the College of Veterinary Medicine . Auction items were tremendous from the gathering of exquisite kimonos, works of art and Japanese collectibles, to the beautiful display of Japanese artifacts, which encouraged and increased bidding.

In March, we were honored to have the Consul General of Japan, the Honorable and Mrs. Yutaka Yoshizawa, visit Japan House and to deliver a speech on campus entitled, "The Japan-US Partnership: Its Significance in the Global Context". A reception at Japan House immediately followed the lecture. This talk was co-sponsored by Japan House and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies.

On March 24, 2005, twenty-two members of the Friends of Japan House, Tomonokai , embarked on a seven-city tour of Japan . Many close friendships were formed and the group made a generous donation to Japan House from monies saved through careful planning. They visited a bridal kimono rental shop and were allowed to try on kimonos worth thousands of dollars. They also visited Hiroshima where they dedicated 1,500 origami cranes. The Illini cranes were place in glass cases along with thousands of other cranes.

Spring Open House was held on April 16, 2005. Mr. David Mungenast, CEO of Creative Communication Concepts, Inc. was the featured speaker. He held the audience spellbound as he related ways he incorporates the principles of tea ceremony in his dailly life. Mr. Mungenast observed that tea has become such an essential part of his life that it is manifested in his interactions with other people and in his general comportment.

Children's Day was held on May 19, 2005 with Lily Nakao as our special guest. Sh demonstrated chigiri-e, a unique Japanese art form in which pictures are created from hand-torn pieces of colorful washi paper. Completed pictures resemble beautiful watercolors. The children tried their hand at making a sea turtle or a flower.

Fall Open House was held October 22, 2005. Dr. Lee Gurga, editor, Modern Haiku magazine, gave a talk on "Haiku East, Haiku West". He shared many haiku and ways to distinguish a good poem from those that could be improved. Dr. Gurga read from his favorites, allowing his audience to hear the appropriate cadence and intonations.

In October, we had a special visitor, Mrs. Maribea Bowers celebrating her 94 th birthday. Mrs. Bowers lived in Japan from 1947-1950 with her husband who served as an aide to General McArthur. She felt that coming to Japan House would be an appropriate way to mark this milestone in her life.

Japan House featured Mr. Hiromi Matsushita as guest speaker on the afternoon of November 13, 2005. This was co-sponsored with the Illini Japanese Association and the Japan Intercultural Network. The title of this Sunday Afternoon Talk was "The Road to the Priesthood". After working as Director of Human Resuources for UBS Securities Japan limited, he decided to end his lucrative and competitive career, and was ordained as a Tendai Sect monk. He hopes to lead a quieter and more spiritually connected life.

2006

A Garden Workshop with instruction from Mr. James Bier, designer and builder of the Japan House gardens, was given on four consecutive Saturdays in September, 2005 and also again in March, 2006. The subject for both workshops was about various types of gardens, their history, types of elements used, principles of Japanese design and construction methods. Participants designed their own garden and produced a model.

At the Spring Open House, April 8, 2006, guest speaker David Mungenast, U of I alum and CEO of Creative Communication Concepts, Inc. gave a report on "A Vision of Japan House" followed by a video, "Japan House," which was produced by Creative Communication Concepts and contributed by him and Mr. Michael Barna.

On April 30, 2006 Japan House hosted a 'Sunday Afternoon Talk by Mr. Osamu Yoshida, Coordinator, Marketing Services at Eli Lilly, Japan and past President of Illinois Japanese Association. His topic was "My Career Search and Current Work."

Children's Day activities were held in the spring on Saturday, May 20, 2006. They included calligraphy, origami, kimono dressing and storytelling by one of Japan House volunteers and Steering Committee member, Virgie Young. We had 10 people from our volunteers to help with the festivities and approximately 200 visitors.

A demonstration by Japanese calligrapher Suizan Mochizuki was the highlight of our Fall Open House, held on October 7, 2006. A renowned Kokotsubun calligrapher in his 80's, Mr. Mochizuki did 9 presentations while he was here. They included a workshop at Japan House, a lecture at Spurlock Museum and demonstrations at King Elementary School, other UIUC classes and even Central Illinois Aikikai. His visit was made possible by the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Japan House, the Frances P. Rohlen Visiting Artists Fund, the Spurlock Museum and the Illinois Arts Council.

In November, a busload of Kabuki fans left from Japan House for a dinner at a Japanese restaurant and opening night performance of Shozo Sato's production of Othello's Passion: A Kabuki Play held in Bloomington, IL. It was a wonderful evening with both new and old friends of Japan House!

Also in November, an evening of traditional Japanese music and dance was held at Japan House. Musica Sakura 2006, a group of musicologists and performers from Japan treated the audience to performances of NOH singing, flute, drum and dancing.

A wonderful new development at Japan House for 2006 is our Cultural Enrichment Group. This group meets once a month to discuss different facets of Japanese culture--as well as opportunities for volunteering at Japan House. Origami, furoshiki, incense and sweet-making are some of the past topics and presentations.