Cultural Demonstrations

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

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, February 20, 2025
Morikami Gardens
10:30AM, Thursday, March 20, 2025
Morikami Gardens
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, March 15, 2025
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, April 12, 2025
Morikami Theater
12:00PM, Saturday, May 17, 2025
Morikami Theater
DEMONSTRATION OF KYUDO: The Way of the Bow
Kyudo is the traditional Japanese practice that uses the act of shooting the Japanese bow for the cultivation of the person and the development of physical and mental wellbeing. It is now a worldwide practice that has both cultural and sporting aspects. Kyudo places greater emphasis on the beauty of form, with accuracy being seen as an expression of correct shooting rather than "hitting for hitting sake." Learn about the history of Kyudo and observe a demonstration of the Shaho Hassetsu, known as the Eight Stages of Shooting, explained by instructor Jade Fraundorfer.
12:00PM, Saturday, April 26, 2025
Morikami Theater
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.
12:00PM, Saturday, May 3, 2025
Morikami Theater
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