Japan House Spring Open House - featuring John Powell

Japan House's annual Spring Open House resumes on Saturday, April 11 featuring John Powell, Japanese garden expert and consultant.

At 3pm, John Powell will be giving a free presentation about his background, Japanese gardens, and sharing his design for the Japanese gardens for the Ogura-Sato Annex. There will be a Q&A to follow. The presentation is free, but donations are welcomed. Space is limited to the first 35 guests.

Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies will be offered by the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Urbana-Champaign Association at 11am, 11:30am, 12pm, 12:30pm, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, and 2:30pm. In addition to a bowl of freshly whisked matcha, a special Japanese sweet called wagashi will be served, made from recipes in Wagashi: Season by Season.

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. Limited walk-ins will be permitted where space allows to ensure a tranquil experience for all guests. The tea ceremony will take approximately an hour.

Japan House acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council for this program.

About John Powell

John Powell is a designer specializing in Japanese gardens from Texas. Powell is the principal behind Zoen LLC Associates, a consultancy firm specializing in Japanese garden creation and maintenance. An expert in Japanese gardens and NAJGA (North American Japanese Garden Association) board member, Powell educates and consults various Japanese Gardens in the central United States. Powell is noted as the first Westerner to be invited to train with the garden staff of the Adachi Museum in Japan.

About James Bier and the Japan House gardens:

Traditional Japanese gardens surround Japan House. These gardens are very different than Western gardens, with a focus on the natural landscape, utilizing plants, rustic stone, and water. Instead of bright color and symmetry, these gardens focus on green foliage and natural shapes of plants. The design of the gardens creates an extraordinarily peaceful and tranquil environment.

In 2000, James Bier of Champaign, began the development of the Japan House gardens which now surround the building. These gardens and the surrounding ponds made a visit to Japan House an immersive experience and strengthened the way in which it could wordlessly teach about Japanese aesthetics and the quest for tranquility during the tea ceremony and in the gardens.

As a teenager, Jim Bier loved art. He involved himself in painting, woodworking, carvings, fine arts and music. Bier loved music so much that he considered going to college to study music and to continue his training in piano. In college, however, he decided to work toward an undergraduate degree in geology. He absorbed his studies wholeheartedly and enjoyed every moment of it. Bier graduated in 1953 from Case Western Reserve University. After his studies, Bier was drafted into the army at the end of the Korean War. While he was in training, the war ended. It was then that he was sent to Japan. Bier fell in love with Japan, the culture and the captivating beauty of the country. He traveled extensively during his time there, from climbing in the mountains to exploring the vast amount of culture. When Bier returned, he was admitted to the University of Illinois to pursue a master’s degree in cartography. He graduated from UofI in 1957and was offered a job in the geography department.

He began working full time, and after about eight years, he had saved enough to invest in land for a house and a garden. Bier was inspired by the Japanese gardens and homes he saw during his time overseas, so much so that he wanted to have something similar at his own residence. At the time, Bier had no prior knowledge of gardening. He bought some land and needed to fill it up, so he started studying. Once his home and gardens were up to par, they garnered a lot of attention from around the community. People would come in busloads to tour Bier’s home before the new Japan House was realized.

Bier was friends with Professor Shozo Sato, the Director of the original Japan House located at 902 West California, Urbana. They shared a similar passion for Japanese art. When Sato retired, Professor Kimiko Gunji took over as the new Director. The original Japan House was torn down and an initiative to build a permanent structure within the Arboretum began where Gunji could teach Chado, Japanese tea ceremony. This gave Bier the idea of designing the Tea Garden for the Japan House. When he introduced this plan to Gunji, she loved it; however, the Japan House did not have the funding for such an elaborate garden. Bier decided to donate his own funds and volunteer his own time to the project. After years of cultivating his own gardens, he wanted to move on to something larger, and of higher quality. Bier’s involvement and commitment to the gardens only expanded from there.

Japan House thanks Jim for his generous gift to Japan House and the years of service he provided to ensure their beauty could be enjoyed all year round. His wish is for Japan House to be recognized nationally for its Japanese gardens. Bier encourages others to follow in his footsteps; not with gardening or cartography, necessarily, but with life.

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 for scooters, bikes, and electronic transportation devices.

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 [email protected] if you have any questions regarding any questions about accessibility, accommodations for food allergies, or other inquiries.

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 [email protected] 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?

Your registration is refundable if you contact us at [email protected] at least 48 hours before the date of your reservation. Please note that EventBrite fees are non-refundable. Refunds will not be issued for lateness to the assigned ticket time so we asks that guests arrive a few minutes prior to check-in.

Are there certain requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

The tea ceremonies and presentation are for all ages. Children are welcome as long as they are able to sit quietly throughout the tea ceremony and accompanied by an adult guardian. A paid ticket is required for all regardless of whether they partake in the tea and sweet if they wish to participate in the tea ceremonies. Otherwise, for guests passing through to observe, please be mindful of noise levels and remain seated during the tea ceremony. We kindly ask that strollers/bikes 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 and are accompanied by an adult guardian at all times.

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.

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