2012-13 Catalog

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Offering Description

Chanoyu: Traditional Japanese Culture and the Way of Tea

REVISED

Fall 2012, Winter 2013 and Spring 2013 quarters

Faculty
Tomoko Hirai Ulmer , Daryl Morgan
Fields of Study
cultural studies, language studies and visual arts
Prerequisites
Entry in winter and spring quarters requires proficiency in Japanese language or woodworking and design.  Contact faculty for an assessment of proficiency.
Description

This year-long program will examine traditional Japanese culture, aesthetics, and classical architecture through a consideration of Chanoyu , the Way of Tea.  As a part of their study, students will learn to participate in tea preparation and drinking and will construct a tea house.  During spring quarter, as the culminating event of the program, students will hold chakai , a tea gathering, in the tea house they have constructed.

The Japanese tea ceremony was developed during the 15th century and consists simply of tea preparation and drinking in a minimalist setting composed especially for the purpose.  And yet Chanoyu is much more than simple tea drinking.  It is a ritual that embodies many of the most important aspects of Japanese philosophy and aesthetics and employs iconic representations of traditional Japanese art, literature, architecture, and craft.

All students will participate in our core exploration of classical Japanese culture and aesthetics but will also be offered two options for more focused inquiry.  Students may choose either an emphasis on Japanese language or an emphasis on traditional Japanese architecture and building practice.  Separate CRNs are available for each of these emphases.  Fall: 10283 (Language) and 10284 (Wood).  Winter: 20224 (Language) and 20225 (Wood).  Spring: 30201 (Language) and 30202 (Wood).

Academic Website
http://blogs.evergreen.edu/chanoyu
Advertised Schedule
Fall: 7:30-9:30p Mon/Wed; winter and spring: 5:30-9:30p Mon/Wed; plus, in each quarter, students must either attend woodworking on Thursday evenings or language study on Tue/Thu evenings (There is a Mon/Wed option for beginning Japanese in fall quarter.)
Location
Olympia
Online Learning
Enhanced Online Learning
Books
Greener Store
Required Fees
$50 each quarter for materials
Special Expenses
$100 for tools (only for students in the architecture and building emphasis)
Offered During
Evening

Program Revisions

Date Revision
November 30th, 2012 Program had $50 fall required fee. $50 required fee added for winter and spring quarters.
July 12th, 2012 Corrected mistake in schedule: Woodworking section meets on Thursday evenings.