Objectives
The objectives of this year-end session are to reconnect and network with fellow members and examine Japanese culture and its values. The evening comprises a visit of a Zen-inspired garden, the main presentation of 11 values related to the traditional Japanese arts, an authentic tea ceremony featuring a very rare green tea, and a Kimono-dressing demonstration.
Description
Adjusting to life and work abroad usually requires acculturation and some form of adaptation in order for the foreign worker to experience comfort. The cultural gap between Japanese and North American values made this process challenging for me. Over the course of seven years (1998 - 2005) living and working in the Kansai area of Honshu, I had the great fortune of studying traditional arts with master teachers who eased the process of adjustment and ultimately acceptance of Japanese values through my studies in Ikebana, Kimono dressing and classical brush painting, but more specifically through Chanoyu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
This presentation will offer 11 values presented in relation to the traditional Japanese arts with a focus on Chanoyu. Offering these values as a metaphor for understanding Japanese culture, guests are invited to participate in a Japanese Tea Ceremony featuring matcha, imported directly from Kyoto, Japan. In order to accomodate all guests in a seated (rather than kneeling) position, the lectures and Japanese Tea demonstration will take place in the Gallery setting, with the Tea Practitioner visible on an elevated Tea (tatami) platform.
The presentation will feature a small traditional sweet and serving of teas (sencha and matcha) and a Kimono-dressing demonstration.
Event Leader: Rebecca Lyn Cragg
Rebecca Cragg has been a Research Fellow at Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan since 2005. Her B.A. in Anthropology-Cultural Studies and M.A. in Museology-Art History are from Trent University. She has a degree in Education from McGill University. During the 7 years she taught in Japan, she specialized in automated essay writing, curriculum development and pronunciation mastery. She is currently a Lecturer in Japanese Aesthetics at Carleton University.
In Japan, Rebecca taught in university and prefectural-level teacher training. A member of Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) during her time there, she published in peer-reviewed journals, attended conferences and presented at least 10 times annually. Since her return to Canada in 2005, she has been involved in teaching Japanese arts throughout the National Capital area through her work with the Embassy of Japan, in addition to her work as Educational Outreach Officer for Ikebana International. Rebecca took twice-weekly private Japanese brush painting lessons during the seven years she lived and taught in Japan. In 2005, twenty of her scrolls were exhibited in a solo show in Wakayama City, Japan. Her focus is natural scenery, including rocks/mountains, water and flowers.
Rebecca has conducted painting workshops. Through her Stepping Stones Art Gallery (www.steppingstonesgallery.net), she has featured over 30 artists in 40 exhibitions between 2005 and 2009 and more art is being continually displayed. Rebecca teaches Brush Painting on Monday afternoons , evenings and Saturday mornings at her gallery in the Mooney's Bay area.
IKEBANA (Japanese flower arranging - Sagagoryu): A member of Ikebana International, and a practitioner of Sagagoryu Ikebana, she studied with Master Teacher Mrs. Miyoho Takagi in weekly lessons for 7 years. During the course of her studies, she created hundreds of arrangements. Her Ikebana works have been featured at Exhibitions at the Embassy of Japan (2005 - 2006), the National Museum of Nature (2005 ~ ) and in exhibitions at her gallery, The Stepping Stones Art Gallery. She currently teaches Sagagoryu Ikebana on Monday evenings.
CHANOYU (Japanese Tea Ceremony- Omotesenke & Omotesenke-Sei-ha): Founder and President of Camellia Teas of Ottawa, Rebecca continues her studies in Omotesenke and Omotesenke-Seiha Tea Ceremony. During the 7 years she taught in Japan, Rebecca was a student of Mrs. Eiko Kuwayama at the Zen Temple of SANGO-JI (Coral Temple) in the Capital of Wakayama Prefecture, 120 km from Kyoto.
Through Camellia Teas of Ottawa, over 15,000 bowls of matcha have been served to guests throughout the National Capital area - and most recently as far away as Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Japan. Active in community outreach, Rebecca also sits on the Board of the Ottawa Japanese Community Centre. She currently teaches Omotesenke on Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons.
KIMONO (Japanese dressing - Sodo): A kimono dressing competitor, Mrs. Cragg won the title for the Kansai region in her category, moving on to compete nationally in the Miss Kimono Universe competition in Tokyo in 2005. Her best time in self-dressing is 5:35 minutes for the Tomesode Kimono. She has coordinated the JAPAN DAY Kimono Fashion Show at the Canadian Museum of Civilization for 2006 and again in 2008 through the Embassy of Japan. She currently teaches Kimono dressing on Thursday evenings at $20 per person.
Cost: $20, includes lecture, demonstration, self-guided tour of Camellia House's tearooms, serving of Japanese Tea and a traditional sweet.
Exclusively for Harvard Club Members and Their Guests
Limited Space of 20 seats. Reserve Now!
Important information regarding Registration and Admittance:
