Japanese Culture Exhibition

Sunday, March 5 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Grainger Ballroom at Symphony Center

Before Kodo One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi, enjoy the Japanese Culture Exhibition in Grainger Ballroom, presented by the Japanese Culture Center and Japanese Arts Foundation. There will be demonstrations to experience the graceful and dynamic movements of Aikido and the power of large-scale calligraphy (Shodo), a flower arrangement (Ikebana) presentation and an interactive Origami station. All presenters are artists from the Chicagoland area.

Access: Your Kodo One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi concert ticket is needed for entry to the Japanese Culture Exhibition. You can purchase your concert tickets here!

Event schedule

1:30 PM Doors open to the public*

1:35-1:45 PM Aikido (Japanese martial art of harmonizing with energy) demonstration with Chief Instructor of Aikido Association of America and Aikido Association International, Tatsuo Toyoda Sensei.

2:00-2:15 PM Large scale Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) demonstration with Hekiun Oda.

2:30 PM Closing remarks

3:00 PM Kodo One Earth Tour 2023: Tsuzumi

*Origami and Ikebana presentations will be ongoing throughout the event.

Learn more about the art

Aikido (the Art of Peace) Demonstration: Witness the graceful and dynamic movements of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, presented by the Aikido Association of America. Founded by Morihei Ueshiba early in the twentieth century, Aikido emphasizes harmonizing and blending with energy in order to de-escalate conflict and enable peaceful reconciliation.

Ikenobo Ikebana (Flower Arrangement) Demonstration: For centuries, flower arranging (Ikebana) was an art practiced exclusively by samurai warriors and Buddhist priests. Ikenobo is the oldest and largest school of Ikebana, founded in the 15th century by the Buddhist monk Senno in Kyoto. This demonstration will be led by Professor Charles Harris, Chicago Chapter President and a recipient of the Cultural Achievement Award from the Japan America Society of Chicago.

Origami (Paper Folding) Interactive Station: Join us in creating your own origami swans, cranes, lanterns and more with Ty Yamamoto

Large Brush Shodo (Calligraphy) Demonstration: Witness a large-scale Shodo (Way of the Brush) demonstration with Hekiun Oda Sensei, presented by the Japanese Culture Center. Oda Sensei obtained the rank of Shihan (the highest rank in Shodo) in November 2011 from the Genshin-kai, the Japanese Calligraphy Association in Japan, and is a recipient of the Cultural Achievement Award from the Japan America Society of Chicago.

For more information on classes and events at the Japanese Culture Center, visit japaneseculturecenter.com