Often paired with bonsai, kusamono are potted arrangements of wild grasses and flowers in unique pots or trays selected to suggest a season, place, or natural habitat.
Join esteemed U.S. kusamono artist Young Choe—who teaches the art of kusamono worldwide and has exhibited her work at the U.S. National Arboretum to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, among others—for a hands-on experience immersed in this Japanese botanical artform. Through a lecture and demonstration, learn characteristic kusamono styles, methods for creation, display techniques, and care. Then, create your own kusamono to take home and enjoy.
Location
Nursery Headhouse
Instructor
Young Choe
Young Choe is a kusamono artist who studied traditional art in her native Korea before moving to the United States and earning her BS in horticulture from the University of Maryland. While volunteering at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, she brought her artistic talent together with her knowledge of horticulture to create kusamono. As her interest developed, Young traveled to Japan to study the unique art form with the master kusamono artist, Keiko Yamane, a former student of Saburo Kato. She worked for many years with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) including the U.S. National Arboretum. Young is considered a leader in the field and enjoys conducting workshops and lectures nationally as well as internationally.
