Paintings from an Art Days event earlier this year sit across a bridge in the Japanese Garden on May 23. Photo courtesy of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Bask among bonsai trees older than the United States and koi fish up to four feet long at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden for an afternoon of artistry and relaxation on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If you’re lucky, you might spot Harry, the Great Blue Heron, who frequents the garden in the early morning and late afternoon, looking for his next meal.

Art Days at the garden happen every third week of the month. Each event focuses on an artistic style or process. 

This month, a Japanese calligraphy process known as Sumi-e is on the itinerary.

Sumi-e is an age-old technique that involves grinding a hard ink block into powder on a small dish filled with water. The ink, made from kneading soot and gelatin or resin, is then liquified and applied to a paper of choice. Rice paper is traditionally used. 

There is no need to handcraft the ink; Japanese Garden employees will provide supplies to attendees, owing in part to a $2 entry fee. 

Sumi-e fans can also bring their own supplies, as long as they are water-soluble.

Omar Navidad, the garden’s events specialist, spoke about the process of Sumi-e and how it embraces imperfection. In traditional practice, lines made in Sumi-e cannot be retouched or tweaked after the initial brushstroke. 

“It’s supposed to be something that you are meditating on. You’re really focused on the beauty of each single brushstroke,” he said.

An evening at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on May 16. Photo courtesy of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

Currently, there are 50 open spots. Omar is hoping for an attendance of 30 to 40 people.

Reservations can be made on the garden’s website.

Several events take place at the garden throughout the semester, including zen yoga on Wednesdays at noon and 5 p.m. and Fridays at noon, at no cost to students.

For members of the Japanese Garden, a fall event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 18, featuring a taiko drum performance to soundtrack the afternoon, with tea and snacks available to attendees.