The University Record, September 25, 1995

Tea room featured in reopening of gallery

By Leslie Stainton
Museum of Art

On Oct. 1, 1–5 p.m., the Museum of Art will host a celebration of Japanese culture to mark the reopening of its Japanese gallery.

The free activities will include demonstrations by Ann Arbor resident Kiyoko Ishikawa of the ancient rituals associated with the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, hourly 1–4 p.m.

Among the other activities:

  • Members of the Ann Arbor Ikebana Society will introduce visitors to Japanese flower arranging.

  • Origami expert Don Shall will conduct a drop-in workshop at which he will show how to create elegant figures by folding a single sheet of paper. A swan, a jumping frog and a sailboat all are within reach for novices.

    Installation of the tea house is part of an extensive renovation of the Museum’s Japanese gallery, reopening to the public after a closing of several months.

    Under the supervision of Marshall Wu, senior curator of Asian art, the renovation will provide an authentic and realistic setting for presentation of the Museum’s Japanese collections.

    Museum curators and staff will be on hand throughout the afternoon to answer questions about the gallery and its treasures, from incense chests to hanging scrolls, a kabuki kimono and a warrior’s armor.

    Reinstallation of the Japanese gallery has been made possible by a donation from Mazda.

    Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Thursday and noon–5 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 764-0395.