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.
Underwritten by Michael Sonnenreich
Film: Tokyo Cowboy
Discussion led by Director Marc Marriott
Brash businessman Hideki convinces his Tokyo bosses he can turn a profitless Montana cattle ranch into a premiere-performing asset. However, when his Japanese Wagyu-beef expert fails him, Hideki is poised to fail unless he identifies a missing element that's key to the transformation: himself.
Adult Workshop
Block Printing Workshop
Japan has a long, rich history of woodblock printing, called mokuhanga, dating back to the 11th century. The ukiyo-e genre of block prints flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Morikami is offering a workshop with a modern twist on this ancient art form, where participants can carve and print with linoleum blocks to create unique and exciting imagery. Instructor Brian Reedy has been teaching this method for over 20 years, and offers an approach that is easily accessible for beginners, yet challenging for seasoned artists. Printing inks can stain clothes, so dress appropriately. Please wear old clothes or bring an apron.
Adult Workshop
Butoh Dance Workshop
Butoh, a type of Japanese dance theater came on the scene in 1959 and over the decades has grown beyond Japan and onto the international scene.
Tea Ceremony Class
Sado: Beginner I & II
Thursday or Sunday Sessions
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season.
10:15AM, Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, May 31, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, June 4, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Tea House
10:15AM, Thursday, September 17, 2026
Tea House
Tea Ceremony Class
Sado: Intermediate Classes
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season.
1:00PM, Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, May 31, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, June 4, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, July 5, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Sunday, September 13, 2026
Tea House
1:00PM, Thursday, September 17, 2026
Tea House
Delve into the world of Japanese folklore
Mori Stories: Kamishibai Folktales
Japanese Paper Theater
Bring the whole family and delve into the world of Japanese folklore or stories through kamishibai, Paper Theater. Join us for a reading of these classic stories. Reading starts on the hour with a short related activity to follow.
1:00PM, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
11:00AM, Saturday, July 18, 2026
Kamiya Room (Classroom A)
Adult Workshop
Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) Workshop for Beginners
Learn brush strokes using sumi (charcoal) ink and a brush to write Kanji characters. After practicing on paper you will create a final calligraphy piece on shikishi board to take home. Just bring your curiosity!
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, April 18, 2026
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, May 16, 2026
Morikami Theater
Sunset Stroll
Join us for an enchanting evening at our Sunset Strolls. Each evening includes exhilarating Taiko drum performances and a variety of cultural and culinary delights.
Adult Workshop
The Joy of Carving - Chirirenge Ramen Spoon Edition
Chirirenge in Japanese is the name of the soup spoons from Asia and used as ramen spoons in Japan. Unlike the western spoon, it has a flat bottom and is deep to hold more soup. The handle is curved upwards and the shape mimics a fallen petal of the lotus flower called renge in Japanese. The word chiri means “to fall off.”
Ikebana Flower Arrangement
Ikebana Sogetsu Class
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary school which focuses on the creativity and individuality of ikebana. The idea is that ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create pieces each week to take home and enjoy. Beginners and Intermediate students welcome!
10:30AM, Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Oki Education Center
10:30AM, Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Oki Education Center
Craft activity for kids of all ages
Family Fun Day: Children's Day
Come join us to celebrate the Japanese holiday of Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) by making a flying paper helicopter modeled after the Japanese traditional toy, take tombo (bamboo dragonflies) and a flying carp, called koinobori.
11:00AM, Saturday, May 2, 2026
Sakai Room (Library)
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.
Ikebana Flower Arrangement
Ikebana Ikenobo Class
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and style of Ikenobo, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy. Beginners welcome!
11:00AM, Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Oki Education Center
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Speaker Series: A Brief History of Yōkai
Talk by Author Zack Davisson
From Godzilla to Pokémon, Japan is monster country. And all of Japan's monsters have their roots in the bizarre menagerie of creatures called yōkai. Noted monster scholar and yōkai folklorist Zack Davisson guides you through the history behind yōkai; a journey from the invisible monsters of the Heian period to the yōkai catalogs of Edo. A book signing with Zack Davisson will follow the lecture.
Adult Workshop
Kyudo: The Basics of Japanese Archery 101 Workshop
The beginners Kyudo workshop will provide an introduction to the equipment used for Kyudo practice as well as the training attire. Those attending will receive instruction in the 8 basic stages required for the correct shooting of a bow. This includes posture, form, and shooting stance. Please note that participants will not be shooting an actual bow and arrow in this workshop, but will be using a Kyudo rubber bow as a beginner.
World Bonsai Day
Join us at The Morikami for World Bonsai Day, where you can explore the ancient art of bonsai. Celebrate World Bonsai Day with bonsai pruning and potting demos, bonsai vendors, and Japanese artisan vendors.
10:00AM, Saturday, May 9, 2026
Morikami Gardens
Adult Workshop
The Art of Carving - Chopsticks
Hashi, the Japanese word for chopsticks, are an essential part of dining across Asia, designed for precision and balance. Unlike Western utensils, chopsticks encourage a more mindful eating experience, requiring dexterity and a connection to the food. Their form is simple yet elegant, with variations in shape and material reflecting regional traditions and culinary uses.
Morikami Book Club
Open to all Morikami Members
Embark on a thrilling literary journey with Benefactor member Christine Carton and fellow Morikami members as they kick off a brand new season of riveting book explorations! To join the Morikami Book Club, please reach out to Christine Carton at christinec@gate.net. All meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month at 12 pm at …
12:00PM, Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
12:00PM, Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Adult 2-Day Workshop
Indigo Katazome Workshop
Katazome is a Japanese resist process used for hundreds of years in Japanese textiles. Traditional artisans created a resist paste made from a rice flour mixture and applied it to cloth through the use of elaborately hand-carved stencils. Where ever this paste is applied will resist the dye, creating a pattern. Traditionally katazome is dyed with indigo to create the traditional white and blue of many Japanese textiles.
Museum Closed for National Holiday
We are CLOSED on major national holidays, including: New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Cornell Café - Holiday Hours: December 24th and December 31st from 11am – 2pm. Reminder: We are always closed to the public on Mondays.
10:00AM, Monday, May 25, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
10:00AM, Saturday, July 4, 2026
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Adult Workshop
Introduction to the Art of Kintsugi
Claudia Henao is a glass and floral artist. She is a self-taught artist, with a 20 years career spanning from when she traveled and lived in Europe for around 17 years with her family. Always surrounded and inspired by nature, her artistic creativity started to include floral design with her glass work a few years ago. Mrs. Henao started mixing glass and natural elements in her work which allows for a very unique and magical experience for the eye. Her creative repertoire encompasses unique botanical pieces like jewelry, huts, glasses, etc.
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
Speaker Series: Restoring America's Promise: The Fight for Justice
Talk by Dr. Mitchell T. Maki
Join us for a truly impactful and interactive presentation that delves into the poignant history of the Japanese American WWII experience. Nationally recognized redress movement scholar, Dr. Mitch Maki, will guide you through this critical chapter in American history, exploring the challenges of incarceration and military service, and culminating with the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Through the blending of historical facts with compelling community anecdotes and audience perspectives, Dr. Maki fosters a dynamic dialogue that connects this history to today's crucial issues of social justice and the enduring strength of democracy. This is more than a presentation; it is a moving and inspirational opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the unwavering Go For Broke spirit of the Japanese American soldiers and the ongoing relevance of their fight for the freedoms and liberties we all cherish. This is a chance to explore how their legacy impacts us and future generations
1:00PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026
Morikami Theater
Adult Workshop
Nerikomi Ceramic Workshop
Nerikomi is a hand-building pattern technique made with colored clay, by mixing colored clay and then press it together. “Neri” means to mix, and “komi” means to press. The clay is layered in different patterns to create a block of clay. After, you slice the block into thin layers. Finally, you make a pattern in a repetitive (or abstract) way from these slices to create different objects. In this workshop students will learn in the first class to create a patterned block of two colors of clay. The second class will be dedicated to cut the slabs and transform them into nice trays, plates or vessels.
Sado: Tea Ceremony Workshop
Omotesenke School
This workshop teaches the basics of sadō – The Way of Tea – necessary to understand the aesthetics of sadō and to fully enjoy the tea ceremony itself. Participants become familiar with how to participate as a guest, how to make a bowl of tea, and serve it.