Smithsonian Institution Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Throughout the spring, guests can learn about other well-known expressions of Japanese culture in "Zen, Tea, and Chinese Art in Medieval Japan"--such as Zen Buddhism, tea drinking and ink painting, which emerged in the 12th-16th centuries. Also on view will be "Oribe Ware: Color and Pattern Come to Japanese Ceramics," an exhibition on the renowned style that introduced vivid pattern and color to Japanese ceramics in 1605. In addition, cherry blossom enthusiasts anywhere in the world can share the splendor of the season digitally with a new suite of free e-cards featuring artworks from the Freer and Sackler collections, available online.
The Freer and Sackler Galleries celebrate the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival with a day filled with Japanese art, films, family activities, a book signing and a special store event.
Tours
11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:15 and 3:15 p.m.
Freer
Building on the theme of this year's festival, "Our Natural World," these tours explore how Japanese artists incorporated nature-based imagery into a variety of media. Learn about the works' importance in Japanese culture, past and present.
Films
11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Freer, Meyer Auditorium
Join legendary anime director Shinji Aramaki as he introduces and discusses two of his films. Cosponsored by Otakorp Inc.
Harlock: Space Pirate
Inspired by a wildly popular 1970s television series, Harlock: Space Pirate is a 3-D sci-fi adventure with eye-popping CGI effects. Followed by a Q&A with director Shinji Aramaki.
Appleseed: Alpha
A female soldier and her cyborg partner roam a World War III-ravaged New York in search of the legendary city of Olympus--mankind's last hope. Followed by a Q&A with director Shinji Aramaki.
Imaginasia
2-4 p.m.
Sackler sublevel 2, ImaginAsia classroom
Visitors can unleash their inner artist and discover the beauty of cherry blossoms in Japanese art during a painting party hosted by Washington's popular ArtJamz. The event will start with a guided tour of the Freer, and then visitors will create their own masterpieces to take home. All materials included; all ages welcome. Advanced registration required: asia.si.edu/imaginasia.
Trunk Show
Vintage Japanese Garments
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sackler store, sublevel 1
Presented by Kyoto Kimono, this shopping event includes vintage kimono, haori jackets, obi, décor items and fashion accessories created from vintage Japanese textiles. Kyoto Kimono owner Nancy McDonough demonstrates how to wear and care for kimono. Traditional Japanese crafts and teas are also featured.
Book Signing
Cherry Blossoms
1-3 p.m.
Sackler shop, sublevel 1
Released just in time for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, this keepsake book features cherry blossoms from the Freer|Sackler collections. The flower features prominently in Japanese art; magnificent renderings by masters such as Hiroshige and Hokusai range from serene blossoms among tall evergreens to surreal showers of petals. Cherry Blossoms is richly illustrated with grand screens, woodblock prints and works in ink on silk. The text by James T. Ulak and Howard S. Kaplan demonstrates the flower's deep-rooted symbolism and timeless appeal.
Visit asia.si.edu/cherryblossom for the complete schedule of programs.