About the Event
Spend a day at Anderson Japanese Gardens experiencing the beauty of Japan through food and nature. The journey will begin with a traditional Japanese lunch (obento) in a private guest house in the gardens. Kimiko Gunji, Professor Emeritus of Japanese Arts & Culture in the School of Art & Design, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the founder of the new Japan House, will give a brief introduction of Japanese cuisine. Guests will also learn about the intricacies of Japanese dining etiquette. The day will conclude with a private tour of the beautiful gardens.
About the Speaker
Kimiko Gunji is Assistant Professor Emeritus of Japanese Arts & Culture in the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds the title of Full Professor at the Ikenobo Ikebana School in Japan, specializing in Japanese flower arranging. Additionally, she teaches Urasenke way of tea and carries the tea instructor’s name, known as Chamei, Souki, from the Urasenke Tea School. Gunji also serves as President of the Urbana-Champaign Association of Chado Urasenke Tankokai for the last 20 years.
Throughout her career, Professor Gunji has received numerous awards for her exceptional teaching and her efforts in promoting Japanese arts and culture in the United States. Notably, she was honored with the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese Government, bestowed by the Japanese Emperor.
Currently, Gunji shares her expertise by teaching Japanese traditional arts to both local students and community members at Japan House on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. She also offers lectures and workshops on Japanese arts and culture at various colleges, universities, and organizations.
In recognition of her longstanding dedication to teaching, as well as community activities, Gunji received the Legacy Award from the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois in the fall of 2023.
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