Speaker Series

Join us for a live virtual lecture in our theater! Explore how recent developments in Japanese gardens across North America realign them with some of the core values of gardens in Japan. As social spaces, gardens bring people into profound contact with idealized natural places which allow us to connect more harmoniously with others. The talk highlights a variety of new practices in gardens as well as new designs and even locations for Japanese-style gardens.

Learn about Kusumoto’s journey as an artist, beginning with her undergraduate studies working in 2-dimensional medium (oil painting and printmaking), and then her 18-year career as a metalsmith, and how she transitioned into working with fabrics. As new opportunities presented themselves, the direction of her work was able to evolve by allowing her instinct to lead her. Through that evolution her career has been like a “journey.”

Japan is justifiably famous for its many festivals; each one is reflective of a time and a spirit of community. They serve many functions, but most have a religious or spiritual origin and purpose. Purification. Protection. Gratitude. Commemoration. However, even these sacred rituals and celebrations are not immune to shifts in times, politics and, optics. Today, the 5th month of the 5th day is celebrated as Kodomo-no-hi, or Children’s Day. It is a time for parents to gather with their children, make excursions, and celebrate family, particularly the children. But in times past, it had a very different character. As part of the Go-Sekku or Five Festivals, it was celebrated as Tango-no-sekku--a time for the ritual driving away of evil spirits and malevolent forces that affected the health of the family, community, and nation.