Shofuso Japanese House and Garden Event Calendar

Bonsai Workshop (20 May 2012)

Sun, 20 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Pennsylvania Bonsai Society member Howard McNeal has worked with Bonsai for more than 50 years. He presents his knowledge on Bonsai and will lead a small group through training, wiring, potting, and other important Bonsai activities. This three-hour workshop will leave participants with a tree that might cost $100 if purchased at a retail location.

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Lessons for Beginners (02 Jun 2012)

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Have you ever wanted to learn the art of Japanese tea ceremony? Register for Tea School on Saturdays at Shofuso and begin the journey. Beginner's lessons begin at 9am. Advanced lessons start at 11am. For more information, please contact the Chado Association of Philadelphia at info@phillytea.org or Shofuso staff at info@shofuso.com.

Like many arts, tea ceremony has many levels of complexity — the basics can be learned in a few months, but to truly master it takes a lifetime. For beginners, we have group lessons that introduce the student to the basic skills and principles of chanoyu. After several months, you’ll be able to do conduct a standard tea ceremony from beginning to end.

In this highly personalized instruction, students will confer with teachers to determine a 9:00 am or 11:00 am class time over four Saturdays in September. The fee is $100 per month of study, with a one time materials fee of $50, payable to the teacher on the first day of class. Students will renew monthly.

Tea ceremony — called “chanoyu” or “chado” in Japanese —is at once an art form, a spiritual discipline, a way to socialize, and a window on Japanese culture. Practiced for more than 450 years, this unique way of sharing tea has spread around the world.

A tea gathering starts when the guests assemble outside the tearoom and enter one by one. The host enters through a separate entrance and carries in the utensils one by one. Each item is carefully cleaned in front of the guests before the tea is served, allowing both host and guest to attain a pure state of mind before drinking the tea. The goal, for everyone involved, is to share a profound experience of being alive in the present moment.

Our teachers are licensed by the Urasenke school of chanoyu, one of the largest in Japan, which is headquartered in Kyoto. A student will typically study for ten years or more before being granted a license to teach, requiring a truly lifelong commitment to tea!

June Tea Ceremony (03 Jun 2012)

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by our Urasenke tea master. Learn about the history and principles of chanoyu (tea ceremony), drink a bowl of matcha (green tea) and taste a seasonal sweet.

This tea ceremony is conducted by Taeko Shervin, an Urasenke tea master who has introduced guests at Shofuso to Japanese tea ceremony for over 30 years. She was recently honored by the Urasenke school of chanoyu in Kyoto, Japan for her lifetime devotion to the Way of Tea.

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

June Tea Ceremony (03 Jun 2012)

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Lessons for Beginners (07 Jul 2012)

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 04:00:00 GMT

July Tea Ceremony (08 Jul 2012)

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

July Tea Ceremony (08 Jul 2012)

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

Children's Summer Camp - Japanese Performance Arts & Crafts (16 Jul 2012)

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Spend a week (or four!) this summer experiencing Japanese culture at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden! Boys and girls entering 3rd through 6th grade can try many Japanese hands-on activities in the beautiful Japanese House and Garden in West Fairmount Park. Each week ends with a special camper-led tour and performance for their parents and guardians!

During Japanese Performance Arts & Crafts week, campers will learn about and experience:

Japanese culture
Japanese theater
Kimono
Origami
Japanese games
Japanese crafts
Historic Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

When: Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20, 9am - 3pm daily.

Pricing: $250 nonmembers/$225 members per week.
Early Registration! Members who register by April 1st receive an additional discount!

An adult guardian must have a household membership, OR each child must be an individual member for membership rates to apply.

Minimum 50% deposit required. Remaining balance payable first day of camp.

Children's Summer Camp - Tea Ceremony (23 Jul 2012)

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 13:00:00 GMT

During Japanese Tea Ceremony week, campers will learn about and experience:

Japanese culture
Tea Ceremony
Calligraphy
Ikebana: Japanese flower arranging
Shibori: Japanese dying techniques
Kimono
Origami
Japanese games
Japanese crafts
Historic Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

When: Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27, 9am - 3pm daily.

Pricing: $250 nonmembers/$225 members per week.
Early Registration! Members who register by April 1st receive an additional discount!

An adult guardian must have a household membership OR each child must be an individual member for membership rates to apply.

Minimum 50% deposit required. Remaining balance payable on first day of camp.

Children's Summer Camp - Martial Arts (30 Jul 2012)

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 13:00:00 GMT

During Japanese Martial Arts week, campers will learn about and experience:

Japanese culture
Non-contact forms of martial arts
Archery
Origami
Japanese games
Japanese crafts
Historic Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

When: Monday, July 30 through Friday, August 3, 9am - 3pm daily.

Pricing: $250 nonmembers/$225 members per week.
Early Registration! Members who register by April 1st receive an additional discount!

An adult guardian must have a household membership OR each child must be an individual member for membership rates to apply.

Minimum 50% deposit required. Remaining balance payable on first day of camp.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Lessons for Beginners (03 Aug 2012)

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Children's Summer Camp - Taiko Drumming (06 Aug 2012)

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 13:00:00 GMT

During Japanese Taiko week, Shofuso's own taiko drumming group Kyo Daiko teaches campers about this exciting Japanese musical form.

Campers will learn about and experience:

Japanese culture
Taiko Drumming
Shibori: Japanese dying techniques
Origami
Japanese games
Japanese crafts
Historic Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

When: Monday, August 6 through Friday, August 10, 9am - 3pm daily.

Pricing: $250 nonmembers/$225 members per week.
Early Registration! Members who register by April 1st receive an additional discount!

An adult guardian must have a household membership OR each child must be an individual member for membership rates to apply.

Minimum 50% nonrefundable deposit required. Remaining balance payable on first day of camp.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Lessons for Beginners (01 Sep 2012)

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 04:00:00 GMT

September Tea Ceremony (09 Sep 2012)

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

September Tea Ceremony (09 Sep 2012)

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

Otsukimi (Moonviewing) (29 Sep 2012)

Sat, 29 Sep 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Enjoy rustic Japanese food and sweets, sip sake, enjoy music, and celebrate a successful harvest while watching the moon rise over the pine trees at this traditional contemplative Japanese gathering.

1 - Usagi, 2 - Hagi, and 3 - Susuki are donation level registrations, and will be recognized in our event program. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Lessons for Beginners (06 Oct 2012)

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

October Tea Ceremony (07 Oct 2012)

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

October Tea Ceremony (07 Oct 2012)

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT

Taeko-sensei conducts two seatings at 1 pm and 2:30 pm in Shofuso's tea house.

Please be prepared to kneel or sit on the floor for the length of the ceremony.

Shoes must be removed before stepping into the house, so please bring socks. Space is limited and advance reservations are required.

Fall Tea Ceremony (13 Oct 2012)

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony conducted by guest tea school Omotesenke Eastern Region Chapter (domonkai). Drink a bowl of matcha (green tea) and taste a seasonal sweet.

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Tea ceremony -- called chanoyu or chado in Japanese -- is at once an art form, a spiritual discipline, a way to socialize, and a window on Japanese culture. Practiced for more than 450 years, this unique way of sharing tea has spread around the world. People far and wide have discovered that life is beautified by this way --- by the spirit that guides its practice, as well as by the objects which express that spirit and are an integral part of its practice.

Fall Formal Thick Tea Ceremony (13 Oct 2012)

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Experience a Japanese formal koicha (thick tea) ceremony conducted by guest tea school Omotesenke Eastern Region Chapter (Domonkai). Drink a bowl of matcha (green tea) and taste a seasonal sweet.

Only 6 people may attend. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Fall Tea Ceremony (13 Oct 2012)

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony conducted by guest tea school Omotesenke Eastern Region Chapter (domonkai). Drink a bowl of matcha (green tea) and taste a seasonal sweet.

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Fall Formal Thick Tea Ceremony (13 Oct 2012)

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Only 6 people may attend. Space is limited and reservations are required.

7-5-3 Shichi Go San (Kimono Dressing) (20 Oct 2012)

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Celebrate Shichi-Go-San at the Japanese House and Garden in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA. Have your child's photograph taken in kimono in the beautiful setting of a traditional-style Japanese house.

Please let us know if you would like other family members photographed with your child (and parents, please remember to dress appropriately for a formal photograph).

Traditional children's kimono are available to rent with dressing assistance. Reservations must be made by September 1, 2012. Appointments are 45 minutes, including dressing and photography.

You may select an appointment day (Saturday, October 20 or Sunday, October 21) and we will contact you after October 6, 2012 with an appointment time between 11am and 4pm. Please be aware that, in some cases, the schedule may not be finalized until the week before the event.

Digital prints will be sent in November.

Fall Cleanup Day (03 Nov 2012)

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Join other volunteers and members to clean the house and garden in preparation for closing for the season. At noon, we end with a delicious hot Japanese lunch prepared by members. This is a popular volunteering event, so please let us know in advance if you plan to attend.

We can usually accommodate large groups. If you are interested in bringing a large group, please let us know at info@shofuso.com.

Space is limited & reservations are required.