Cultural Displays
Two ancient Japanese art-forms are on display in a special cultural exhibit area located inside the temple on the lower level.
BonsaiBonsai
Bonsai, by Mr. Shig Ito, is the art of shaping miniature trees to look as if they were just taken from a living forest. It is an art form requiring skill and patience as a single Bonsai can take many years to develop. Mr. Ito, one of our temple members, has been a Bonsai instructor for decades and each year he displays some of his most beautiful Bonsai.
IkebanaIkebana
Ikebana, by Ikebana on Halsted – Ohara school of Ikebana Chicago Class, seeks to display flowers in a minimalist arrangement in order to capture the true essence of a flower’s beauty. Each year students of Ikebana showcase examples of their works. The Midwest Buddhist Temple thanks the Misho School of Ikebana (Japanese flowering arranging) for their many years of exhibiting at the Ginza Holiday. Their late sensei, Chiye Tomihiro, inspired many to learn and perfect their beautiful art.”
Please note: Ikebana arrangements and Bonsai trees are for exhibit only and are not for sale.
Shopping Consourse
Shopping:
For those who seek treasures to take home we have many local artisans who display and sell their works in our outdoor shopping concourse – rows of booths festively decorated with cho-chin lanterns. Shoppers can typically find hand-made jewelry, beautiful examples of Origami (the art of folded paper), ceramics for both function and display, Japanese clothing, Japanese snacks and much, much more. See our full list of participating merchants below.
Also in the center of our shopping concourse you’ll find The Waza, artisans from Japan demonstrating their crafts (many of which can be purchased). To learn more about these special artisans visit our page dedicated to The Waza.
Some artisan booths along our shopping concourse
Participating Merchants and Not-for-Profit Organizations for 2018*
Merchants: ARIYAMA STUDIO – Contemporary woodblock prints ASIAN ARTIQUE – Asian antique art objects ENTROPYWARE – Jewelry JEFF CHIU CERAMICS – Handmade ceramics KUJIRA JAPANESE ARTS & CRAFTS COMMUNITY – Japanese Crafts MBT BOOKSTORE – Books and other educational materials about Buddhism OHIO KIMONO – Japanese clothing ORIGAMI ONLY – Origami art PLANET OBI – Japanese clothing PLUMTREE STUDIO – Functional ceramic pieces POMEGRANATE DESIGNS – Washi paper art SANSEI ARTISANS – Japanese craft items SHOP MBT – Japanese items, shopping bags, household items SUMO FISH – T-shirts TERRA ELEMENTA – Jewelry TOUCH OF GLASS – Glass jewelry and other glass items UNIVERSAL ARK – Jewelry WABI SABI DÉCOR – Kimono gift items
Launched in Japan in 1994 after a Japanese distributor requested the seed, the variety was named Mirai®, a Japanese word for “taste of the future.” Mirai® came home to U.S. markets after a seven-year run in Japan where it was sold as a fruit. Twin Garden Farms is located in Harvard, Illinois.
Launched in Japan in 1994 after a Japanese distributor requested the seed, the variety was named Mirai®, a Japanese word for “taste of the future.” Mirai® came home to U.S. markets after a seven-year run in Japan where it was sold as a fruit. Twin Garden Farms is located in Harvard, Illinois.