::::: Japanese Culture :::::

Studies in Japanese Culture

"Harmony" by Kaji AsoIntroduction to Japanese Calligraphy
is presented not just as an art form and an exercise, but as a unified aestheticism and life enriching practice.Enjoy the simplicity of this art form that is so close to dance in its expression.
Monday 1-3 p.m.
Fee: $400/semester or $220/half semester
Instructor: Katie Sloss


Thursday 6:30 to 8:30p.m.
Fee: $400/semester or $220/half semester
Instructor: Michael Biales Assistants: Toshio Abiko, Kate Finnegan

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Japanese Calligraphy with Michiko Imai

 

Koto Player Sumie Kaneko Visiting Master Calligrapher
Michiko Imai
Master calligrapher Michiko Imai will be offering a special 8 week class at Kaji Aso Studio where she will demonstrate her skill and go over the fundamental movements of calligraphy leading into more complex characters (words). All levels of students are welcome. Class is limited to 10.
8 weeks starting mid January, 2009 Wednesday 1 – 3 pm, Tues. 7 - 9pm
Tuition is : $300 for this 8 week session. To learn more about Michiko visit her web site here
You can e-mail administrator@kajiasostudio.com for more information on this special course.

 

 

 

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Green Tea

Japanese Tea Ceremony
Boston"s first Japanese Tea House. Special reservations can be made to enjoy the unique Tea Ceremony of Japan with Kai-Seki Dinner. Apprenticeships in the study of Tea Ceremony are available.
Sunday 4 pm to 6 pm
Fee: $30.00 per person reservations required
Tea Hostess : Kate Finnegan
Assistants: Jane Kim , David Wilsey

visit the "Flower Wind" page >

 

Japanese Design


Whale Spotting

Japanese Interior and Graphic Design
Learn basic concepts of Japanese interior design, structure and decoration
from ancient to contemporary. Mr. Abiko is an award winning designer and
well-established in the Japanese design community. His international clients
include Toyota, Royal Host, and Laura Ashley.
Thursday 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Fee:$320 /semester or $160 / for half semester
Instructor : Toshio Abiko


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Japanese Conversation

Whale Spotting

Japanese Conversation
Practice basic Japanese in a conversation setting—Beginner’s
Level. (No previous Japanese study necessary.)
Advanced level students, please call to arrange schedule..
Fee:$480/semester or $240 / for half semester
Instructor : Meena Malik


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Japanese Renga Poetry

audianceRenga Workshop
Renga, or Japanese linked verse, is the only traditional poetic form composed by several poets in a group. Haiku and Renga are very closely related in style and form; in fact, it was from renga that haiku developed. Help us explore the possibilities of this unique workshop. All are welcome.
Tuesday 9:30 - 11 p.m.
Fee: $4 / per meeting.
Leader :John Ziemba

examples of Renga Verse

Boston Haiku Society

Poetry ReadingThe Boston Haiku Society has been holding monthly meetings at the Kaji Aso
Studio for 20 years. Members meet to share and discuss their haiku poems.
Members also serve as judges to Kaji Aso Studio's International Haiku Contest.
the BHS was founded by Kaji Aso, Raffael de Gruttola, and John Ziemba.  The BHS chapbooks that have been published by the poets of the BHS have been edited by Raffael de Gruttola, Karen Klein, Sarah Jensen, Lawrence Rungren, and John Ziemba.
The Third Saturday of each month 2 - 6 p.m.
Fee: $4 / per meeting.
Leader :Raphael deGruttola, John Ziemba

 

 

 

Japan Festival

Satokagura Japan Festival is being held once a year at the Kaji Aso Studio. Activities for children such as oragami and name writing, demonstrations in Ikebana(flower arranging), Calligraphy, and Tea Ceremony. Also Haiku readings and Satokagura (mime comedy)
May
more information..


 

Japan Tour 2009

Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Summer 2009
Haiku Tour of Japan
July - August 2009

Kaji Aso Studio continues to offer unique cultural tours of Japan.
This year’s tour will focus on haiku and the haiku masters of Japan: Basho, Buson, Issa, and Shiki. Our tour will visit shrines and temples associated with these great haiku masters as well as other locations in Japan made famous in their poetry.

This is, without exaggeration, the haiku journey of a lifetime.  We will visit some of the homes, birthplaces, gravestones, and places made famous by haiku masters such as Matsuo Bashō, Yosa Buson, Kobayashi Issa,and  Masaoka Shiki.  We will begin our tour in Tokyo (Basho-an, the house where Shiki died, the Museum of Haiku Literature), then continue to Kyoto to pay our respects Konpukuji, location of the grave of Buson, and visit Bashō’s Rakushisha, or Hut of the Fallen Persimmon.  From there it is a relatively short journey to Iga Ueno, Bashō’s birthplace (site of his reconstructed home and the Basho Memorial Museum).
After that, we will travel to the unspoiled north to concentrate on places made famous in Bashō’s Oku No Hosomichi: among others, Matsushima, an islanded Bay considered one of the three most beautiful places in Japan; the mountain temple of Yamadera in Yamagata; and Hiraizumi, site of the razed city which inspired Bashō’s “summer grasses—all that remains of warrior’s dreams.”
 For the true aficionado of haiku, this tour is a dream come true, but for any lover of Japan, a wonderful chance to see many aspects of this wonderful country.