Center for East Asian Garden Studies

The Huntington’s Center for East Asian Garden Studies promotes exchange among scholars and garden professionals on the long-standing and sophisticated East Asian traditions of garden making. With the Huntington’s renowned Chinese and Japanese gardens as a foundation, it also aims to make these traditions accessible to a wide audience and oversees a full program of lectures, workshops, symposia, exhibitions, and occasional performances.

Public Programs

Music in the Chinese Garden
Wednesdays, 1–3 p.m.
Enjoy traditional Chinese music every Wednesday afternoon in the Garden of Flowing Fragrance. (Cancelled in the event of rain.) General admission.

Japanese Teahouse Tours
Second Monday of every month, 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Learn about the history of the Japanese Garden's ceremonial teahouse and the traditions behind its use. Informal tours are offered at 20-minute intervals. General admission.

Lecture Series

Calligraphy Performance by Tang Qingnian
Nov. 4, 2018 (Sunday)
Contemporary Chinese calligrapher Tang Qingnian demonstrates his calligraphy. A discussion with the artist follows. Free; no reservations required.

New Explorations in Tea History: Putting Women and Children First
Nov. 13, 2018 (Tuesday)
Dr. Rebecca Corbett explores aspects of Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868) tea culture and its use in children’s education. Her current project focuses on the Buddhist nun and artist Tagami Kikusha (1753-1826) and the transmission of her work in modern Japan.

Educational and School Programs

Poetry in the Chinese Garden
Taking students to a museum or garden is a wonderful way to encourage their appreciation for, and understanding of, our natural and cultural heritage. The Huntington offers field trips designed to deeply engage students in their personal learning experiences and bring their studies to life. In the "Poetry in the Chinese Garden" program, students use poetry as an entry point to the culture of Chinese gardens, immersing themselves in the garden experience. They compare Chinese and Western landscape styles, learn about the role of literature in the garden, and create and share their own two-line poems inspired by what they see.

Chinese Garden Discovery Cart 
Discovery Carts are engaging and educational mobile exhibits that offer new learning experiences to garden visitors. The Chinese cart encourages visitors to learn through culturally-themed activities involving Chinese opera masks, traditional Chinese instruments, poetry, Chinese apothecary, architecture, and Chinese tea preparation all which highlight the scholars garden.