Saturday, March 16, 2024

Tea Ceremony Utensils for Collaboration Between Japanese Tea Ceremony and Installation Art Event

I was looking for tea ceremony utensils in my house and found more than I expected! They are mainly things that were given to me by family members and others. I also purchased a tea pot this time from a store in Japan. I am happy that these utensils will be used in a collaborative tea ceremony and installation event that Miyu and I will be having next month. What impression do you have when you hear about a tea ceremony? The event will be held on April 12 at 6 p.m. at WSU's McKnight Art Center, in cooperation with WSU ADCI and students. Everyone is welcome! More details will be coming soon.

chawan - tea bowl
chashaku - tea scoop
chasen - tea whisk
yushaku (hishaku) - ladle
kensui - waste-water container
chagama - tea pot
natsume - tea powder container
chasenyasume - whisk rest
futaoki - lid rest
fukusa - fabric wipe
kobukusa - heat insulation mat
kaishi - packet of paper
sensu - folding fan

家にある茶道道具を探していたら、思っていたより多くの物が見つかりました! 主に家族や人にもらった物です。今回茶釜も日本のお店から購入しました。来月高橋美結さんと一緒に行う予定の茶道とインスタレーションのコラボイベントで、これらの道具が使われることを嬉しく思います。こちらの人たちは茶道について、どういうイメージを持っているのでしょうか?イベントは4月12日午後6時からWSUのMcKnight Art Centerで行います。WSU ADCI と学生さん達のご協力の元、開催されます。どなたでも大歓迎です。詳細は追ってお知らせします。



The image created by Kanna
Japanese Calligraphy by Rino






Thursday, February 29, 2024

Things Around Matcha Tea - A Short Tea Tour in Downtown Wichtia

 

最近抹茶について考えさせられています。I have been thinking about things around matcha tea recently.

What is the good color of matcha? 抹茶の良い色とは…?

Photo Credit: Miyu Takahashi

先日、ウィチタのダウンタウンで、短い時間ながら、美結ちゃんと「お茶ツアー巡り」をしました。

The other day, Miyu and I went on a short "tea tour" in downtown Wichita, 

ウィチタの人には言わずと知れたThe Spice Merchantというお茶専門のお店。世界各国のお茶が色々手に入ります。こういうこだわりの専門店がウィチタにあるのは嬉しい。コーヒーやスパイスも充実していて、店内にはコーヒーのいい香りが漂っています。A store where you can get a variety of tea from around the world. It is nice to have such a specialty store in Wichita. They also have a great selection of coffee and spices, and the aroma of coffee wafts through the store.






The Coop 友人に紹介されて最近知った割と新しいお店。ふつうの家を改造されたみたい?一階は手作りの小物やスイーツの販売コーナーで、二階、三階の喫茶エリアは小さな部屋に区切られていて、ついつい長居しちゃいます。A friend introduced me to this relatively new tea shop recently. It looks like an ordinary house has been remodeled. The first floor is a corner selling handmade small items and sweets, and the sitting area on the second and third floors is divided into small rooms, making it easy to stay for a long time.



私がアメリカに来た頃は抹茶の飲み物はほとんど見かけませんでしたが、最近はよく見かけるようになり、嬉しい限りです。When I first came to the U.S., I rarely saw matcha drinks here, and I missed them so much, but I am glad to see they are becoming more common these days.


アレンハウスーウィチタにあるフランク・ロイド・ライト設計の二件の建物のうちの一つを訪れました。ライトのシグニチャーともなっているPrairie Styleの家です。ライトは日本びいきで、日本の文化や建築に影響を受けたそうです。中でも岡倉天心(岡倉覚三)の「茶の本」という茶道について書かれた本に影響を受けたとか。今回は外観だけだったので、今度は内部を見るツアーに予約して参加したいです。

Allen House - One of two Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings in Wichita. It is Wright's signature Prairie Style house. Wright was a Japan lover and was influenced by Japanese culture and architecture. He was particularly influenced by Tenshin Okakura's (Kakuzo Okakura) "The Book of Tea," a book about the tea ceremony. This time we were only able to see the exterior, so next time, I want to book a tour to see the interior.



Sunday, January 28, 2024

Kansas Through the Eyes of an Artist Exhibition at Carriage Factory Art Gallery

The opening reception for the ”Kansas Through the Eyes of an Artist" exhibition was packed!  I loved seeing people enjoying the art and the community.  It was a pleasure and an honor to serve as the judge for such a beautiful scene.  I am from Japan originally, but have been living in Kansas for 28 years now.  I love Kansas and I was so glad to celebrate Kansas Day in this way this year!  What made me most happy was to see the smiles on the artists' faces as I handed out the awards.  Thank you Carriage Factory Art Gallery for the opportunity!


Gallery director Mary Lee McDonald and me




Me handing out the award to Shawn Delker, the first place winner


1st place  Shawn Delker and her piece "Wind's Song"


2nd place  Glen Ediger and his piece "Kansas"

3rd Place  "Growing Cloud" by Diane Lawrence

Honorable Mention  "Scenic Byway into Cottonwood Falls" by Diane Pavelka

Honorable Mention "Late Summer Sun" by James Butler

Honorable Mention  "Teter Locks" by Marcia Scurfield


There are many more excellent works in this show.  The works are available to purchase and the exhibit runs through March 8th!  

Kansas Through the Eyes of an Artist

Carriage Factory Art Gallery

128 E. Sixth Street, Newton, KS, 67114

316-284-2749

carriage factory art gallery.com

Open Hours: Tuesday- Friday Noon - 5:00pm

                      Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm



Monday, January 15, 2024

Opening Information of Kansas Through the Eyes of an Artist Juried Exhibit

 

Kansas Through the Eyes of an Artist Juried exhibit at Carriage Factory Art Gallery is going to open on Saturday, January 20 and runs through March 8. The opening reception is January 20 from 6-8 PM with awards ceremony at 7 PM.

I have served as the juror and the judge for this show. I am going to be there at the opening. Hope to see you there!

Kansas Through the Eyes of an Artist 2024

Carriage Factory Art Gallery

128 E. 6th St. Newton, KS

Date: Jan 20, 2024 - March 8, 2024

Opening reception: Jan 20, 2024 6:00pm

carriagefactoryartgallery.com


Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Treasuring the Moment 一期一会 Ichi-go Ichi-e at Northcutt Steele Gallery, MSUB, Billings, Montana



I had a wonderful time in Montana! The trip went very smoothly and the weather was fantastic. Installing my show was a big fun with three different ceiling heights. Before the opening, I was able to give workshops to three art classes and the students helped me start a new thread piece. Thanks to the excellent presentation equipment and the warm audience, the artist talk went well! I appreciated their interesting and thought provoking questions as well! Jodi and Robin took extra good care of me, took me hiking in the mountains, took me to Red Lodge, a historic charming city, and always made sure that I had the best food in town. I'm so grateful for everything! It was as if I were surrounded by angels! The show is up till Dec. 14th. @Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University Billings

Treasuring the Moment  一期一会 Ichi-go Ichi-e

Place: Northcutt Steele Gallery, Montana State University, Billings, Billings, MT

Liberal Arts Building, 1st Floor, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT, 59101

Date: Nov. 16 - Dec. 14, 2023


Here are some photos from the show. The photos are shared with permission.

A drawing class came and helped me making a thread piece.




Later, they did a drawing session looking at my pieces.




Next day, she brought her friend with her.  I love that!



Another art class


Artist talk



Opening reception