Japan House's annual Fall Open House resumes on Saturday, October 14th featuring Linda Mosley, artist and teacher of ceramics and chado, and the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association.
Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies will be offered by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm. In addition to a bowl of freshly whisked matcha, a special Japanese sweet called wagashi will be served, made from recipes in The Art of Wagashi written by Professor Emeritus Kimiko Gunji.
Guests may select from the outdoor ryurei (table-style) tea ceremony (seated on chairs) or the indoor tea ceremony on tatami (seated cross-legged on tatami). Please dress appropriately as legs are covered traditionally in Japan. All guests will be asked to remove shoes when entering Japan House, and to wear socks if participating in a tea ceremony. Tickets per person ($16.00) are required to attend a tea ceremony; no walk-ins will be permitted to ensure a tranquil experience for guests. The tea ceremony will take approximately an hour.
At 3pm, Linda Mosley will be giving a free presentation about how the spatial relationship in roji (tea garden) and chashitsu (tearoom) architecture inspire her ceramic work. From 11am-2pm, she will be outside on the Japan House dry garden deck displaying and selling ceramic pieces (cash or credit card accepted). The presentation is free, but donations are welcomed. Space is limited to the first 30 guests.
Outside garden tours are offered by gardener Susan Kapacinskas at 12pm and 1pm, and will take 45 minutes. Tickets are required to join ($5.00/person) - please dress appropriately to walk outside and note that there is an uneven stone path in the tea garden.
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About Linda Mosley: https://www.lmosley.com/
Linda Mosley is an artist and teacher of ceramics and Chado, Japanese tea ceremony. Her work is both functional and an abstract expression of forms in nature. Linda’s work is available at Austin Pottery Studio and Gallery.
Linda grew up in Monticello, Illinois, a unique small town that is the home of Allerton Park, a former estate with formal gardens, European and Asian sculpture, nestled among fields of corn and soybeans. In the summers, she worked in her family’s small store on the courthouse square and went to art camps. She was introduced to Japanese tea culture by Prof. Shozo Sato as an undergraduate art student at the University of Illinois.
Before moving to Austin in 2008, Linda taught ceramics at the college level and operated her own studio in St. Louis, MO (1975-2007). She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree and has exhibited, lectured and published articles on ceramic art in major American periodicals. She was Editor for the NCECA Journal, and is featured in Richard Zakin's book, Ceramics: Mastering the Craft. Linda helped form and acted as president of two non-profit arts organizations in St. Louis.
Linda has also studied Chado with Dr. Sheila Fling since 2008 and received her license to teach in 2019. She has recently been featured in two YouTube videos about pottery and Chado.
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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. The MTD Silver comes near Japan House on Lincoln Ave but buses also service PAR/FAR and you may walk from there to Japan House.
The front door is located on the north side of the building. Please allow plenty of time to arrive and get to the front door so we may start on time.
Questions about accommodations or accessibility?
Please email japanhouse@illinois.edu if you have any questions.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Yes, ticket transfers are possible with a minimum of 48 hours advance notice and if there is space in the new time requested. Please contact japanhouse@illinois.edu if you have any questions.
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 to check in.
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 is the refund policy?
You registration is refundable if you contact us at japanhouse@illinois.edu at least 48 hours before the date of your reservation.
Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?
The tea ceremonies, garden tours, and presentation are for all ages. Children are welcome as long as they are able to sit quietly throughout the tea ceremony. Admission is required for all regardless of whether they partake in the tea and sweet. For the garden tour, children are welcome as long as they are able to behave appropriately and follow garden etiquette. We kindly ask that strollers are not brought into the tea garden to avoid damaging plants along the path. For the presentation, children are welcome as long as they are able to sit quietly throughout the presentation.
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.
