Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, in Delray Beach. Morikami has been part of the Delray/Boca Raton community for over 100 years! In 1904, Jo Sakai, a recent graduate of New York University, returned to his homeland of Miyazu, Japan. His intention was to organize a consortium of pioneering farmers and lead them to what is now northern Boca Raton. With the help of the Model Land Company, a subsidiary of Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railroad, they formed a farming colony they named Yamato, an ancient name for Japan. For years these settlers grew pineapples for shipment to markets in the north.
The museum has contributed to educating area residents and visitors about Japanese culture. On the events calendar for April 2022 are a variety of courses to choose from including calligraphy, flower arranging and more.
April schedule:
Tuesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26
Ikebana Flower Arrangement – Ikenobo SchoolTime: Beginners – 11am – 1pm
Intermediate – 1pm – 3pm*
Cost: $80 (Morikami Members $70). Advance Registration Required.*Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience or have taken at least three sessions of Ikebana classes.
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and style, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy.
Wednesdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27
Ikebana Flower Arrangement – Sogetsu School
Time: Beginners – 10am – 12:30pm
Intermediate – 1:30pm – 3:30pm*
Cost: $80 (Morikami Members $70). Advance Registration Required.Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has different schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary school, which focuses on the creativity and individuality of ikebana. The idea is that ikebana can be done by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create pieces each week to take home and enjoy. *Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience.
Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28
Sumi-e Ink Floral Painting – BeginnerTime: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65). Advance Registration Required.
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means, "charcoal drawing" in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brushstrokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving on to the main subject.
Thursday, April 7
Mori Stories: Momotaro, The Peach BoyTime: 1pmCost: FREE for members or with paid museum admission. No Reservation Required.
A baby, found inside a peach, grows into a boy of amazing strength. This is a story of how he learns to use that strength wisely.
Fridays, April 8, 15, 22, 29
Sumi-e Ink Painting ClassTime: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm
Landscape – 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Cost: $70 (Morikami Members $65). Advance Registration Required.
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black ink, the name literally means, "charcoal drawing" in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e brushstrokes.
Saturday, April 9
Shibori Indigo – Napkin II Workshop
Time: 10am – 3pmCost: $65. Advance Registration Required.
The use of indigo dye, or aizome, has a long and cherished history in Japan. The deep blue colors for which Japanese textiles are celebrated come from the leaves of the tade ai, a plant introduced to Japan from China in the sixth century. Shibori is a Japanese technique of manual-resist dyeing used to make patterns on fabrics. Learn new techniques building off from the Shibori Napkins I workshop and create a new set of unique dinner napkins for your home.
Sundays, April 10, 24 or Thursdays, April 14, 28
Sado: Tea Ceremony – BeginnerTime: 10:15am –12:15am
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55). Advance Registration Required.
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the tutelage of master instructor Yoshiko Hardick.
Sundays, April 10, 24
Sado: Tea Ceremony – Intermediate
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55). Advance Registration Required.
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering.
Saturday, April 16
Sado: The Way of Tea DemonstrationTime: 12pm, 1:30pm or 3pmCost: $5 with paid museum admission.
Observe Japanese sadō, an ever-changing demonstration rich in seasonal subtleties. The true spirit of sadō — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), and tranquility (jaku) —along with a sip of matcha green tea and a sweet treat—will help you bring a calm perspective into your busy life.
Saturday, April 23
Adult Calligraphy Workshop
Time: 11:30am – 1pm or 2pm – 3:30pm
Cost: $35 (Cost does not include museum admission). Advance Registration Required.
Learn brush strokes using sumi ink and a brush to write Japanese characters. After practicing on paper, you will create a final calligraphy on shikishi board to take home.
Saturday, April 30
Youth Block Printing WorkshopTime: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $25. Advance Registration Required.Japan has a long, rich history of woodblock printing, called mokuhanga, dating back to the 11th century. The ukiyo-e genre of block prints flourished in Japan from the 17th through 19th centuries. Morikami is offering a workshop with a modern twist on this ancient art form, carving and printing linoleum blocks to create unique and exciting imagery. Instructor Brian Reedy has been teaching this method for over 20 years and offers an approach that is easily accessible for beginners yet challenging for seasoned artists.
For more information on Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, please call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
