Tea Ceremony Event

The tea ceremony event on April 12th was absolutely beautiful.  I truely treasured each moment.  Thank you to Miyu who hosted the tea ceremony, three designated guests, everyone who helped, and everyone who attended from near and far!  Here are some photos.  Photo credit: KC - Kendra Cremin, SD - Sloane Dyer, CM - Chiyoko Myose 

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After the event, many threads were added to my installation "A Thread X A Thread" by the members of the tea ceremony and the people of the Wichita community. This work started out as my personal work, but has now become something that engages the community and also crosses cultures.　

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Thank You Everyone Who Helped Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze

The Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze project is over now, but I would like to look back and write several articles about it over the next several posts.

For this project, we received many peoples' help.  I would like to introduce them here.  

We received a lot of volunteer help and participation from Miyu's friends and Japanese Culture Association at WSU.  They helped with the trial installation and became the big part for the tea ceremony event on April 12th.  From left to right, Sarah, Chaewon, Miyu, Natsuki, Kanna, and Ryotaro.  Kanna made the publicity image as well.  Missing two people in this picture, but thank you, everyone! 

Since the McKnight Art Center atrium is a large space, I opted to receive help from the students from Robert Bubp's Community Arts Engagement class.  This class is designed to send students directory to community art projects and give them hands-on experience in project creation in the real world.  Lynn, Wyatt, and Sam from the class participated in this project.  We worked on variouis works including fablication of my installation, installing, and execution of the tea ceremony event.  They worked closely with me including the various behind-the-scenes tasks.  For their final assignment, they created their own work in response to my piece, which I am going to share about later.  This is a picture of us fablicating a thread piece in the golden morning sun light at McKnight.  

Formal Japanese tea ceremony is considered to be a comporehensive art as it includes various art forms such as ceramics, hanging scroll, flower arrangement, architectual design, and garden. With this exhibit, I sought to capture this essence of the tea ceremony environment. However, rather than placing these objects directly in the space, I chose to create a video piece that draws inspiration from a chashitsu, or a tea room. 

Here is Rino, providing a calligraphy piece in the place for a hanging scroll.  Rino is an exchange student from Tokyo. Her beautiful calligraphy was included in the show card as well, which was a blessing.

Wyatt from the Community Arts Engagement class also helped with the video piece. He is a ceramics major and I asked him to throw a tea bowl for the inclusion of the video clips. He kindly wedged clay and threw a couple of bowls for me.  

For the big installation day, I received help from the whole class of Levente Sulyok's Intermediate Painting class.  Thanks to their help, the major part of the installation was finished in about 3 hours and half.  

Photo credit: Lynn Clark

I really appreciated the final push from Levente, my former painting professor, to make the design even better! It almost made me cry. He looks like flying in this picture! 

To be honest, I didn't expect that we were going to receive so much help at the beginning.  It happened because the more we prepared, the more we had to do. I also think it was because it attracted attention and got more people interested in the project. Although I don't have photos of all the people who helped, I would like to share my sincere thanks to them. Without their help, this project would not have happened. I would like to express my gratitude by listing their names here.

WSU ADCI Jeff, Austine, & Kendra

Japanese Culture Association at WSU and Miyu’s friends, Ami, Chaewon, Kanna, Kazune, Natsuki, Rino, & Ryotaro

Robert Burp and the students from his Community Arts Engagement class, Lynn, Wyatt, & Sam

Levente Sulyok and the whole class of his Intermediate Painting class

Isledi and Japanese Language program of WSU

Some individuals Lisa, Sloane, Sarah, & James

Upcoming Show and Events Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze

 

Image by Kanna

Calligraphy by Rino

Harukaze 春風 Spring Breeze

A Collaboration with Japanese Tea Ceremony

hosted by Miyu Takahashi

and the Installation Art “A Thread X A Thread”

by Chiyoko Myose

 

Location:

Atrium, McKnight Art Center on WSU campus

1845 N. Fairmount St. Wichita, KS, 67260

 

The installation will be on view

April 12 – April 26, 2024 Mon. - Fri.

 

Tea Ceremony Event: Friday, April 12, Doors will open

at 5:30 pm, with the event starting at 6:00pm

Free sample tea and confectionery will be served

to the first 30 visitors.

The tea ceremony will be demonstrated for three

designated guests.

 

Artist Talk by Chiyoko Myose:

Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 11:30am-1:00pm

McKnight Art Center, Room 210

Everyone is welcome to attend!  

４月１２日夕方６時より、高橋美結さんによる茶道と私のインスタレーションアートのコラボのイベントを行います。午後５時半開場です。どなたでも大歓迎です。先着３０名様にサンプルのお抹茶とおひがしをお出しします。３名の代表の方にお点前のデモンストレーションを行います。

場所はWSUのMcKnight Art Centerの一階です。
住所　McKnight Art Center on WSU campus
1845 N. Fairmount St. Wichita, KS, 67260

インスタレーション作品は４月１２日から２６日（月ー金）までご覧になれます。

また４月１６日１１:３０amより、私のアーティストトークもあります。どうぞお越しください。McKnight Art Center Room 210

Someone asked me if it's ok to wear kimono or yukata. Absolutely! We will be busy on the day of the event, so we will not be able to help you dress, but of course you are welcome to do so.

着物、浴衣を着てもいいかとのお問合せがありましたが、もちろん大歓迎です！当日、立て込んでいますので、着付けのお手伝いはできませんが…。

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

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.

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

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