From a Bamboo Exhibition to a Mindfulness Lounge, to an Aroma Workshop, Discover the Practice of Mindfulness Rooted in Japanese Culture
LOS ANGELES – August 22, 2022 – As more people return to the office and struggle with work-life balance and increased stress factors, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a collection of activities to discover the ways mindfulness can add balance to daily life. From their Mindfulness Lounge, to the current exhibition “LIFE CYCLES: A Bamboo Exploration with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV,” to an exclusive aroma workshop and a bamboo instrument concert, this cultural destination in the heart of Hollywood offers the perfect space to slow down, breathe and reset.
“Mindfulness has become a popular approach to relaxation and we invite everyone to visit JAPAN HOUSE and learn more about this practice which is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and philosophy,” said Yuko Kaifu, president, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles. “We all seem to be getting increasingly busy as we get back to the ‘new’ normal. We’re pleased to offer a space for all to find their moments of peace.”
Mindfulness activities at JAPAN HOUSE include:
- Mindfulness Lounge: Open Mondays and Tuesdays, the lounge is a thoughtfully designed space for relaxation and contemplation, allowing visitors to take a break by reclining on Japanese mats and cushions while immersed in natural soundscapes and projections, and experience refreshing aromas from Japan. Guests can also learn about Zazen (seated meditation) and may even be inspired to try it out. The space also hosts special events on different mindfulness practices with a Japanese perspective such as incense workshops. (Free admission)
- “LIFE CYCLES: A Bamboo Exploration with Tanabe Chikuunsai IV”: On view through January 15, 2023, this exhibition by renowned Japanese bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV pushes the boundaries of the bamboo art form with a site-specific, immersive bamboo installation, constructed with more than 10,000 woven bamboo strips held together with tension. Visitors can center themselves amidst the dramatic, soaring form, that twists and winds across the gallery. (Free admission)
- Experiencing Scent: An Exploration of Japanese Aromas and Blending: Follow your nose to a special in-person workshop on Tuesday, August 23 (2 – 4 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m. PT) regarding Japanese aroma and how it connects to mindfulness. Scent expert Saskia Wilson-Brown will host this event, introducing the craft of perfumery and historical Japanese aromatics and helping participants to make their own custom-blended scents. (Fee: $30)
- “Words Can’t Go There” Screening with Talk & Live Performance: Japanese shakuhachi flute master and subject of the feature length documentary film “Words Can't Go There,” John Kaizan Neptune will perform live before this special screening Wednesday, August 24 (7 – 9 p.m. PT). Learn about John's life story as a California surfer who traveled to Japan in the ‘70s to learn the shakuhachi and became a world-renowned musician, composer and instrument maker in this film directed by his son, David Neptune. David will accompany John in a short concert playing a bamboo drum called “Takeda” of John's invention. A short Q & A will follow the screening.(Free admission)
Additionally, an incense workshop is scheduled for September. Check the events page for updates and details. For more information, visit the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles website and social channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
ABOUT JAPAN HOUSE
JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs – London, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo – conceived by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community. Occupying two floors at Ovation Hollywood (formerly Hollywood & Highland), JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a place of new discovery that transcends physical and conceptual boundaries creating experiences that reflect the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs.
Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website: www.japanhousela.com