Guided Search: Arts and Culture, Asia, Children

Celebrate cherry blossom season during Sakura Week! This week-long series of events at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden offer a daily taste of Japanese traditions.

On Saturday, April 7, see a demonstration of ryakubon, a simple tray-style tea ceremony as performed by members of Urasenke Philadelphia.

Learn about tea ceremony and the traditional techniques used by the tea school when teaching their beginner classes at Shofuso. Along the way, members of the tea school will be happy to answer any questions that people have!

Learn the fundamentals of classical Japanese dance, one of the components of kabuki theater in this introductory lesson for people of all ages! No previous dance experience is required.

The IchiFuji-kai Dance Association teaches Soke Fujima dance, an elegant style of nihon buyo (Japanese classical dance) that's used in kabuki performances.

Visit Japan without leaving Philadelphia! Sakura Sunday is an all-day celebration of traditional and contemporary Japan with live music, dance, and martial arts performances, fashion shows, arts and crafts, karaoke, and much more.

Sakura Sunday is held at Fairmount Park’s Horticulture Center, home to hundreds of blooming cherry trees – including two from 1926. Bring family, friends, pets, and a picnic and enjoy a beautiful day of arts and culture beneath the blossoms!

Admission: Adults $15, Children (12 & under) free, ACCESS card admission: $5 (day of purchases only)

Explore the spooky world of yokai, Japanese spirits, ghosts, and monsters, at Shofuso!

During this weekend, families can participate in a scavenger hunt and collect trading cards of tsukunogami, or household objects come to life. Hear kamishibai tales of oni, kappa and tengu, and watch a spirit parade through the grounds. Visit the Sakura Pavilion to play ghostly games and watch themed anime.

Experience a traditional tea ceremony demonstration at Shofuso. This demonstration is led by practitioners from the Omotesenke Tea School visiting from the Princeton and New York regions, who will demonstrate a tea ceremony, and then provide guests with a bowl of matcha (green tea) and a seasonal sweet.

Be prepared to sit on the floor for the duration of the program. Limited chairs are available.

Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Shofuso’s own tea school. Members of Urasenke Philadelphia will demonstrate a tea ceremony, and then provide guests with a bowl of matcha (green tea) and a seasonal sweet.

Be prepared to sit on the floor for the duration of the program. Limited chairs are available.

Admission is $30 for general audiences and $25 for members of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Members must sign in to receive a $5 discount during checkout.

Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Shofuso’s own tea school. Members of Urasenke Philadelphia will demonstrate a tea ceremony, and then provide guests with a bowl of matcha (green tea) and a seasonal sweet. Be prepared to sit on the floor for the duration of the program. Limited chairs are available. This event is $30, or $25 for members of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Members must sign in to receive a $5 discount during checkout.

Enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Shofuso’s own tea school. Members of Urasenke Philadelphia will demonstrate a tea ceremony, and then provide guests with a bowl of matcha (green tea) and a seasonal sweet. Be prepared to sit on the floor for the duration of the program. Limited chairs are available. This event is $30, or $25 for members of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Members must sign in to receive a $5 discount during checkout.