Center for East Asian Garden Studies
The Huntington's Center for East Asian Garden Studies promotes innovative scholarship on the traditions of garden-making in China, Japan, and Korea. Furthering the educational mission of The Huntington's Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the Center makes these traditions accessible to wide audiences through lectures, workshops, symposia, exhibitions, and performances.
Research Fellows
Dr. Nicholas K. Menzies
“Ordering the Myriad Things: The Transition from Traditional Knowledge of Plants to Scientific Botany in China, 1850–1950.”
Events
Ordering the Myriad Things: From Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Botany in China
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 | 7:30–9 p.m.
Zoom Lecture | Free with reservation
Temples in the Cliffside: Buddhist Art in Sichuan
Thursday, March 31, 2022 | 7:30–9 p.m.
Zoom Lecture | Free with reservation
Calligraphy Demonstration: Tang Qingnian 唐慶年
Saturday, April 9, 2022 | 2:30–3 p.m.
Chinese Garden | Free with admission
Visit Videos and Recorded Programs to watch previously recorded lectures, conferences, podcasts, and videos.
Exhibitions
“A Garden of Words: The Calligraphy of Liu Fang Yuan”
Part 1: Aug. 28–Dec. 13, 2021
Part 2: Jan. 29–May 16, 2022
News
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.
Japanese Teahouse Tours
Second Monday of every month, 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Temporarily suspended due to Covid-19)
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.
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 Garden cart encourages visitors to learn through culturally-themed activities involving Chinese opera masks, musical instruments, poetry, apothecary, architecture, and tea preparation, all of which highlight the scholars' garden.