|
|
 |
 |
 |
IKEBANA:
Japanese Style Flower Arrangements
While a painting is an expression of art drawn on a canvas with a brush,
Ikebana is an expression in three dimensions composed of plant materials
arranged in a vase.
In general, a flower or tree looks perfectly beautiful blooming in its
natural environment. It can hardly be improved upon. So if we cut it down
for our Ikebana and simply try to reproduce its original beauty in a vase
or by disposing it in another space, the attempt will be a failure. The
plant's original, blooming beauty will elude us.
It is up to your aesthetic awareness to assemble the materials, choose
their most beautiful aspects, put them in a different order, and endow
them with a value transcending that which they had in nature. Arranging
Ikebana begins with careful observation of the plant materials. With the
help of nature, beauty is expressed by man's hand.
Flowers are often given as an expression of affection or respect, but if
you once come to know the charms of Ikebana, they will attain a new dimension
of liveliness and value to you.
Sogetsu
We believe in an Ikebana of no limits, in which anything may be used as
material and displayed anywhere and in any circumstances. There are so
many countries on this earth, with different races, different climates
and customs. Flowers and trees change, too, as we move from north to south,
from temperate to tropical regions, but this is not a barrier for Sogetsu
Ikebana, for we arrange local materials in containers used in each particular
area. Sogetsu Ikebana derives from Japanese tradition, but is now blooming
all over the world.
Ikenobo
IKENOBO, the Japanese art of flowering arranging, was started in the 1400's
by a Buddist monk at Rokkakudo Temple in Kyoto, Japan. Come explore Ikenobo's
classic and modern forms that endeavor to portray nature's beauty, harmony
and serenity. |
|
|
|
SADO:
Japanese Tea Ceremony
The Urasanke Tradition of Tea
Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto, Japan, has nurtured the rich cultural
tradition of chyanoyu since the early seventeen century. Zabosai
Iemoto, sisteenth generation Grand Tea Master of Urasenke, continues
the tradition of his father, now retired as Hounsai Genshitsu, Former
Grand Tea Master, in fostering international goodwill through cultural
exchange. Over the last fifty years branches have been established
in twenty-one cities worldwide. The New York branch was created in
1964.
The Omotesenke Tradition of Tea
The tea ceremony is not a "ceremony" in the sense of, say,
a wedding ceremony or a graduation ceremony. One one level, it is
nothing more than following a set of predetermined actions--spoken
phrases and unspoken gestures--designed to create the most harmonious,
elegent, and yet efficient means of serving tea to guests. In the
most basic form of chanoyu, called usucha ("thin tea"),
the guest enters a simple tatami-mat room; the host enters, greets
the guest, serves kashi (candy), brings in the necessary implements,
cleans them in front of the guest, mixes and serves the tea, then
cleans the implements again and removes them, then leaves, allowing
the guest to leave. In some ways, this is similar to inviting someone
to your house for tea and cookies. In three ways, however, it is
very much different: the host does all the "work" in front
of the guest, the host and guest communicate through unspoken gestures
rather than a lot of talk, and the guest must bring his/her own "napkins
and silverware." |
|
|
|
SHODO:
Japanese Calligraphy
Shodo is essentially an art of movement. It is the art of giving
life to the
brushstroke and endowing the characters with movement. In genuine
shodo the mind is vividly present. The saying, 'when the mind is
correct, the brush is correct', expresses in few words the essence
of shodo. To endow the characters with life the calligrapher not
only has to train to master the brush techniques but also even more
important is the training of the mind. A brush without the right
mental attitude creates superficial characters that lack strength.
|
|
|
|
KOH-DO:
The Art of Incense
Koh-Do is the culture of incense-it may even be said that incense
has long been the spiritual nourishment of Japanese culture. Koh-Do
is an elegant art performed either in a group of individually,
the purpose of which is quite reflection and the attainment of
peace of mind. For over a thousand years the Japanese have cherished
incense and sought to discover its depths. Koh represents the world
of spiritual pleasure, a cult which opens up one’s spiritual
senses. To re-cultivate one’s self and gain spiritual benefits-these
are goals of Koh-Do, the spiritual experience of incense is seen
as yugen,
A subtle and profound mood which forms the core of the Japanese
aesthetic experience.
|
|
|
|
SUMIE:
Japanese Monochorome Ink Painting
Sumi or sumi-e is the Japanese term for monochrome ink painting.
The objective of sumi painting is to express emotion through form.
Brush strokes are evocative, yet kept to the minimum. Through this
three-credit program students will be introduced to this ancient
art form and its modern applications.
|
|
|
|
|
