Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens announces May events

Newly refurbished Yamato-Kan building is now open at the Morikami Museum. [Photo by Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens]

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers May events and workshops ranging from learning the art of Japanese calligraphy to celebrating Children’s Day and exploring the traditions of the tea ceremony.

Documentary Screening: “Fall Seven Times, Get Up Eight: The Japanese War Brides”

Friday, May 2, 7 p.m.

Directed by Kathryn Tolbert, “Fall Seven Times, Get Up Eight” delves into the stories of thousands of Japanese women who married American servicemen after World War II and embarked on new lives in the United States. The screening, underwritten by Linda and Michael Sonnenreich, includes a discussion with Tolbert and Dr. Mitzi Carter. Admission is $10 for the general public or $7 for museum members.

Calligraphy Workshop

Saturday, May 3, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Using traditional sumi ink and brushes, participants learn brushstrokes to write Japanese characters, culminating in a final piece on a decorative shikishi board. The cost is $40 (museum admission not included), and advance registration is required.

Koto Demonstrations

Saturday, May 3, noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Immerse yourself in the tranquil melodies of the koto, Japan’s traditional stringed instrument, with demonstrations by intermediate students. The cost is $5 on top of museum admission.

Family Fun: Children’s Day Celebration

Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Craft Japanese kendama toys, play traditional games and make colorful carp-shaped kites known as koinobori. Activities are free with museum admission.

Tea Ceremony Workshop

Saturday, May 10, 1 to 3 p.m.

Learn the basics of sadō, including etiquette, tea preparation and serving techniques. The cost is $60, and advance registration is required.

Tea Ceremony Demonstration: “Sadō — The Way of Tea”

Saturday, May 17, noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Experience a traditional tea ceremony, savoring matcha green tea and sweets while learning the principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Admission is $5 with paid museum entry.

Family Fun: Virtual Sumo Wrestling

Sunday, May 18

Celebrate sumo wrestling season by learning how to craft a miniature sumo wrestling ring for playful competition at home. Participation is free.

Nestled amid tranquil gardens and reflecting lakes, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers a window into Japan’s rich cultural heritage in the heart of Palm Beach County.

The museum’s original structure, the Yamato-kan, is modeled after a traditional Japanese villa. Designed with a serene open-air courtyard and a dry garden of gravel, pebbles and boulders, the Yamato-kan immerses visitors in Japanese aesthetics. Its exhibits explore the history of the early 20th-century Yamato Colony — a Japanese farming community established in South Florida — and showcase the philosophy of designer Hoichi Kurisu.

The Morikami opened its principal museum building in 1993. The architectural style draws from traditional Japanese design, blending cultural authenticity with modern functionality. Three galleries feature rotating and permanent exhibitions, and the building also includes a 226-seat theater and an authentic tea house with a viewing gallery for tea ceremonies. The museum houses classrooms, the Cornell Cafe overlooking the gardens, a store and scenic lakeside terraces.

The Morikami has a permanent collection of more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and cultural artifacts. Highlights include 500 pieces dedicated to the Japanese tea ceremony and more than 200 intricate textiles. An array of fine art acquisitions represents the depth and diversity of Japanese artistic traditions.

For more details and registration for workshops, visit www.morikami.org.