March 20, April 24, & May 15, 2022
Arts of the Tokonoma
virtual lecture series with Maiko Behr
presented by the Canadian Society for Asian Arts
Arts of the Tokonoma
virtual lecture series with Maiko Behr
presented by the Canadian Society for Asian Arts
|
The tokonoma 床の間 is an alcove-like space in a traditional Japanese room where thoughtfully curated displays serve to set a particular tone for any gathering or activity held in that space. This series will explore the philosophy and aesthetics of tokonoma display, drawing from the practices of the Japanese tea ceremony to better understand and appreciate the broader role of the tokonoma as a space for contemplation in a wide variety of both public and private settings in Japanese culture. Talks will draw upon a range of objects, from historical treasures celebrated as famed objects (meibutsu 名物) to simple everyday items. The series is free, however, pre-registration for each lecture is required. Please register using the links following the individual lecture descriptions below. |
Morning glory in Tokonoma, from Hajimete no chabana, by Horinouchi Sōkan 2008
SESSION 3: May 15, 1 pm
The Art of Seasonality:
Connecting with Nature through Tea Room Alcove Display
(streamed from the Nitobe Memorial Garden Ichibōan tea house, UBC)
Seasonality is a central element in the tea ceremony and the tokonoma alcove can be used to bring guests' attention to the seasonal moment in a variety of different ways. This lecture will examine the display of nature imagery, fresh flowers, and objects that reference seasonal practices in the tokonoma and how this mode of display invites us to see the natural world outside with fresh eyes.
The Art of Seasonality:
Connecting with Nature through Tea Room Alcove Display
(streamed from the Nitobe Memorial Garden Ichibōan tea house, UBC)
Seasonality is a central element in the tea ceremony and the tokonoma alcove can be used to bring guests' attention to the seasonal moment in a variety of different ways. This lecture will examine the display of nature imagery, fresh flowers, and objects that reference seasonal practices in the tokonoma and how this mode of display invites us to see the natural world outside with fresh eyes.
Paintings attributed to Mu Qi at Ryōkōin, Daitokuji, Kyoto
SESSION 1: March 20, 1 pm (finished)
The Art of the Tokonoma:
Architecture, Form, and Function of the Tea Room Alcove
(streamed from the tea room at SaBi Tea Arts, Vancouver)
The first lecture of the series will introduce the concept of the tokonoma and the historical evolution of its function as a space for the display of treasured objects. We will look at noted tea rooms and the diversity of architectural features seen in their display spaces and compare them to contemporary spaces both for tea ceremony practice as well as in more everyday public and private spaces, from traditional Japanese inns to corporate office buildings. To understand how these spaces function when serving as the main focus of a room, we will examine how the tokonoma is used in the context of the tea ceremony and the role it plays in the overall experience of a traditional tea gathering.
The Art of the Tokonoma:
Architecture, Form, and Function of the Tea Room Alcove
(streamed from the tea room at SaBi Tea Arts, Vancouver)
The first lecture of the series will introduce the concept of the tokonoma and the historical evolution of its function as a space for the display of treasured objects. We will look at noted tea rooms and the diversity of architectural features seen in their display spaces and compare them to contemporary spaces both for tea ceremony practice as well as in more everyday public and private spaces, from traditional Japanese inns to corporate office buildings. To understand how these spaces function when serving as the main focus of a room, we will examine how the tokonoma is used in the context of the tea ceremony and the role it plays in the overall experience of a traditional tea gathering.
Viewing the Tokonoma, from Yoku wakaru chaji, Sekai Bunkasha 2020
SESSION 2: April 24, 1 pm (finished)
The Art of the Hanging Scroll as Tokonoma Display
(streamed from the Nikkei Centre tatami room, Burnaby, BC)
This lecture will focus on the object that usually constitutes the centrepiece of the tokonoma display - the hanging scroll. We will look at famous scrolls that are known to have been displayed at tea gatherings as well as examples of the more common types of scrolls that are hung in tea room tokonomas today. We will consider how the hanging scroll takes on additional meaning in this context and, by the very nature of its format, lends itself to particular modes of appreciation when viewed in a tokonoma setting.
The Art of the Hanging Scroll as Tokonoma Display
(streamed from the Nikkei Centre tatami room, Burnaby, BC)
This lecture will focus on the object that usually constitutes the centrepiece of the tokonoma display - the hanging scroll. We will look at famous scrolls that are known to have been displayed at tea gatherings as well as examples of the more common types of scrolls that are hung in tea room tokonomas today. We will consider how the hanging scroll takes on additional meaning in this context and, by the very nature of its format, lends itself to particular modes of appreciation when viewed in a tokonoma setting.
We are grateful to the following partners for their support of this series:
Canadian Society for Asian Arts
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Nitobe Garden at the University of British Columbia
&
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society
Canadian Society for Asian Arts
Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre
Nitobe Garden at the University of British Columbia
&
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society