Experience Japanese culture in our live demonstrations on select Saturdays throughout the season. Each demonstration offers our visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture. Enjoy sado (tea ceremony), koto (a traditional stringed instrument) and kitsuke (kimono culture). Cultural Demonstrations are sponsored in part by the Taetles in memory of Herman. I. Taetle.
All programs are open for registration on August 1st of each year for the upcoming season. Each season runs from October through the summer of the next year.
Explore each cultural demonstration page or browse the full list.
Ikebana (Floral arranging) Karesansui Raking Kimono Culture Koto Kyudo (Archery) Sado Tea
Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremony
The Way Of Tea: Sado Demonstration
Observe Japanese sado, an ever-changing demonstration rich in seasonal subtleties. Your involvement in the true spirit of sado — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), tranquility (jaku) will help you bring a calm perspective into your busy life.
12:00PM, Saturday, October 11, 2025
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, November 15, 2025
Morikami Theater
2:00PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, January 17, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, February 7, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, March 14, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, April 18, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, May 16, 2026
Morikami Theater
Karesansui Raking Demonstration
Karesansui or dry landscape garden, is founded on Zen ideology using carefully composed rock arrangements and gravel or sand. A karesansui is carefully raked to represent characteristics of water such as currents and waves while boulder arrangements may be interpreted as islands. Learn about our Late Rock Garden and observe how the raking can be a practice in mindfulness and meditation.
10:30AM, Thursday, December 18, 2025
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, January 15, 2026
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, February 19, 2026
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, March 19, 2026
Morikami Gardens
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Kimono Culture Demonstration
Japanese Traditional Clothing
Not all kimono are created equal! Learn about traditional styles of kimono, with their rich culture, seasonal subtleties, and symbolic nuances. Observe a demonstration on how to properly put on and wear a kimono. Learn about the elegance of the formal kimono with its exquisite designs and finery worn to attend weddings, parties, special celebrations, and holidays.
Japanese Traditional Music Instrument
Koto Demonstration
Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument first introduced to Japan from China in the 7th-8th centuries. Learn the fascinating history of this exquisite instrument and listen to its captivating and tranquil sounds demonstrated by intermediate koto students.