FOR INFORMATION ON ALL OF OUR MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAMS AND THE LONG ISLAND CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW
RyuShuKan Japanese Arts Center
Explore the Japanese Culture through our enriching, educational, and enjoyable programs and become a true connoisseur of Japan!
About the Ryu Shu Kan
Gerard & Hiroko Uraga Senese
Owners of the Ryu Shu Kan, are also Directors of Community Outreach Programs for the Japan Center at Stony Brook University
In 2010 they were awarded the Suffolk County Asian American Lifetime Award for personal achievement and outstanding contributions to the Asian American Community.
Taika Seiyu Oyata and Kyoshi Gerard Senese. Kyoshi Senese continues to teach and pass down the legacy of Taika Oyata's Open Hand Life Protection Art and the Ancient Kobudo weapons of the Ryukyu Bushi.
Hiroko & Gerard founded Ryu Shu Taiko in 1998. They have been performing and giving workshops throughout Long Island, spreading the fun and excitement of viewing and playing the Taiko Drums of Japan.
In 1999 Hiroko & Gerard created Long Island's only Cherry Blossom Festival - The Sakura Matsuri- produced and held at the Wang Cter., SBU since 2007
Hiroko teaches Japanese Traditional Folk Crafts such as the Shimenawa, New Year's Good Luck Wreath, at libraries throughout Long Island, as well as small groups, by appointment, at our Ryu Shu Kan.
Japanese Zen Arts & Folk Crafts
Immerse yourself in the unique world of Japanese Zen Arts through presentations of the Tea Ceremony, Sho-Do, & Ikebana; and the folk crafts of Origami, Shimenawa (New Year's Good Luck Wreath), Kumihimo (hand-made braided bracelet) and other programs.
Click on the Programs Tab at the Top of the Home page, and select "Libraries and Schools" for pricing on these workshops
SHIMENAWA-GOOD LUCK WREATH: In Japan it is customary on New Year to display “Shimenawa” on the entrance door to ward off evil spirits and welcome good fortune. Traditional Shimenawa is made of twisted rice straw rope but nowadays paper “raffia” ribbon is often used. The wreaths are decorated with auspicious symbols such as Origami Cranes for longevity, Pine branches for strength, and flowers for beauty, that blooms, even in the dead of winter,.
Kumihimo is a Japanese art of braiding cords and braids using multiple strands of yarn or ribbon. The word kumihimo translates to "gathered threads".
Kumihimo braids are often used for bracelets and necklaces. In the past, Kumihimo decorations were used to accessorize kimono and samurai armor.
Our Workshops...
- ...are FUN, Educational, and Enriching. Learning about the Japanese Culture broadens your mind, brightens your spirit, and develops your self-esteem. TAIKO DRUMMING: Participants will Learn the history of Taiko in Japan with regards to how it was utilized in all aspects of traditional culture.
- Then, how to hold the ‘Bachi’ (drumstick) and how to swing it in the air, going through various drills. Moving to the drums, the students will learn the different forms and rhythms of how to hit the Taiko.
- They will then learn a Taiko piece that will have them moving around the Taiko.
- IKEBANA: Participants in these workshops will learn the principles of the Scalene Triangle in the Ikebana designs, how the seasons influence the materials used in the arrangements, and the different types of vases used for the different styles of Ikebana. They will create their own arrangement and take home the arrangement, along with a traditional style vase (plastic) that they can then recreate the arrangement at home.
- SHO-DO: Brush calligraphy (or, Boku-Ga, Zen style brush painting): Participants will learn how to control the Brush so they can 'write' the different "Kanji" derived from the Chinese Characters, and the native Japanese syllabaries: "Hiragana and Katakana". In the Boku-Ga workshop, the participants will learn the painting is about distilling the essence of the subject into a handful of decisive strokes and expressing the beauty of the seasons.
- CLICK ON THE PROGRAM TAB AT THE TOP OF THE HOME PAGE FOR PRICING ON THESE WORKSHOPS AND ORIGAMI, TEA CEREMONY, KUMIHIMO, AND SHIMENAWA.
"We had an amazing experience with Hiroko's Ikebana class! Hiroko was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Ikebana. We learned so much about the traditional Ikebana arrangements, and the aesthetics and principles, that Ikebana is something we can now do at home. We highly recommend!"Marina, Amy, and Friends
"The Ryu Shu Taiko performance was so exciting to watch, we could 'feel' the power of the Taiko drums reverberate in our chests! What a show!!SAKURA MATSURI -CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, WANG CENTER, SBU
Hiroko & Gerard's presentation of the Japanese Tea Ceremony -Chanoyu- was elegant and captivating. Gerard explained the connection between the Samurai culture, which developed the ceremony along the Zen principles of wabi-sabi (understated refinement) and MONO-NO-AWARÉ – which describes an awareness relating to the fleeting nature of our existence and seeing the beauty in this fragile impermanence.The attendees were served traditional Japanese "Matcha" Tea prepared individually by Hiroko and enjoyed traditional snacks with the tea.Wantagh Library Tea Ceremony presentation