Field trip -- 7/26

[Anonymous]

I like the idea of uploading the pictures so that we can use them in the classroom. The Chinese garden had fascinating features such as the wall outside the garden and how each square was made differently and the inscription to leave everything behind before entering a different world. It was also interesting learing how Chinese used a central area to meet and greet their guest away from their house. The Korean drawings were very lifelike and the Japanese caligraphy was nice. I would like to come back to see the other phases of the Chinese garden. Learning about the lion dog was interesting.

[Anonymous]

A very enjoyable day. I would have enjoyed more time at the Huntington but such is life. I missed our guide talking about the moern modifications such as the steele reinforcing.. SHe di mention the elementss of stones wather bridges water and plants .. That Japanese gadens don't ususally have any colored flowers in them while Chinese gardens do. JApanese Gardens usually only have many shades of green. JApanese GArdens and house leave the wood natural- the aging patina is the beauty. The Chinese paint their wood. Our guide also mentioned that the Japanese house was WAY TOO BIG for any Japanese house. It was amusing that the some of theNothern Chinese think it is crass to have weeping willows in a garden -- so says our guide!! Very infomative guide at the Korean exhibit. i like the diffeences she pointed out between the male and female robes and screens.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely loved the Hungtinton Library trip. The grounds were beautiful! I enjoyed comparing and constrasting the Japanese and Chinese gardens. Each of them exuded a feeling of serenity that I wish I could incorporate in a backyard of my own. I also enjoyed the second part of our day at LACMA. My favorite part was the Japanese exhibit. The architecture was amazing. I wish we could have spent a little bit more time at each of the locations, but I enjoyed the time we had.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed the field trip. When we were first told we were going to the Japanese Gardens, I didn't think it would be all that meaningful. However, it really was in the sense of giving me a visual of how very different China is from Japan. The Chinese garden was full of color, architecture and the garden was more busy. The Japanese garden on the other hand, was very organized (the trees were well manicured), there was less color and less water. The Japanese garden did have a tea house which I learned quickly was not used unless a Tea Master was able to perform a tea ceremony. The great thing about this trip was that I honestly felt that I was in Japan. In my opinion the Chinese garden was more peaceful then that of the Japanese garden. I could honestly say that my students would enjoy this field trip as well.

[Anonymous]

When we went to LAMAC Clay mentioned the dragon and the phoenix. Can someone reiterate what the dragon and phoenix represent?

[Anonymous]

The field trip was very interesting and helped me better understand more aspects of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures.

At the Huntington, I enjoyed seeing the gardens and seeing the differences between Japanese and Chinese gardens. I have been to Japan, but without explanation of the gardens, I never understood the meaning of the different components. I liked hearing about how each part had symbolism and meaning. It was also interesting to see the structure of the Japanese gardens in comparison to the more free-flowing Chinese gardens. Our guide had interesting stories and details that made the tour much more enjoyable.

At LACMA, I appreciated seeing more Korean artifacts. I taught English in South Korea at a summer camp, and I enjoyed seeing various parts of the culture, but the museum gave me more information and helped me put the artifacts in context. There is so much information, and sometimes it can be difficult to put it all together in a coherent manner in my own mind, and even more so for middle school students. The museum helped me better understand the various aspects of the culture and put them in the correct time periods.

In the United States, our history seems long and traditions appear steeped in history. All of this pales in comparison to the centuries of tradition and customs of the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean civilizations.

[clay dube]

In the Chinese tradition, the dragon represents the emperor and the phoenix represents the empress. Mythical beasts of immense power. Of course, the dragon has become a symbol of China. Can you attach or provide links to examples of this?

Please ask me Tuesday to say something more about such symbols.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it also true that were they are placed matters. Is it that men (dragons) are on the right and women (phoenix) on the left?

[Anonymous]

The website I reviewed, the Smithsonian Museum of Asian Art, has a teacher resource packet that discusses the symbolism of the dragon. I am attaching the PDF link. The 4th page discusses the dragon motif in the in the Zhou and Han dynasties.

http://www.asia.si.edu/explore/teacherResources/chinapacket/pp22_51.pdf

[Anonymous]

Ok for those of you who are interested in studying ancient Chinese symbols, check out these websites about the dragon and the phoenix:

http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_chinaway/2004-03/24/content_46442.htm
http://susanwong.hubpages.com/hub/dragon-and-phoenix-symbol-meaning
http://www.easytourchina.com/fact-v368-chinese-dragon-and-phoenix

[Anonymous]

This is awesome...Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

I really liked going to see the Chinese and Japanese gardens. It was very soothing and peaceful. I really liked the Chinese garden because there were many places were you could go and sit and meditate. I thought it was interesting to learn that every Chinese garden has to have the following elements rocks, plants, architecture/pavilions, naming (poetry and calligraphy) and water. In the Japanese garden, I really liked seeing a real zen garden and learning about what each thing represents, which is that the rocks=mountains, pebbles=water, patterns=wave pattern, and trees=trees

Really enjoyed it! I love gardens

[Anonymous]

Seeing the collections on Korean art was really neat, since I have not been able to see any before; usually it is Chinese and Japanese art. Being able to go to the other galleries was also great that we got to do. My favorite one was the gallery section of the Americas. I really liked the modern and impressionist paintings.

[Anonymous]

Korea is located among three strong neighbors - Japan, Russia, and China. Historically and relatively speaking, it plays a less decisive role. Therefore, Korean art may not be addressed as much as Chinese or the other two.

When we visited LACMA, I wanted to find out how to tell a Korean art from Chinese so that I can appreciate their art. In addition, I will be able to introduce and discuss with my students. These are the distinct characteristics I learn in this trip:

• dragon has four paws instead of five
• roof tiles are different than Chinese
• Buddha face shape is rectangular and no neck
• entrance door may move up and down instead of right and left

Now, I be able to share with my students!!

[Anonymous]

I agree the Chinese garden did seem a bit more calm and serene. I almost forgot about the tea house, too bad we couldn't get a closer look. Sort of random, but our docent said it would cost 100,000 to have a wedding there!!

[Author]

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