Cultural Programs Expert from The Huntington to Illuminate Japanese Heritage at Rotary Club of Pasadena Meeting

Robert Hori, Associate Director for Cultural Programs at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, brings his expertise in curating diverse cultural experiences to the Pasadena Rotary Club’s meeting this Wednesday, May 8.

Through his presentation, “Huntington’s Japanese Heritage Shoya House – A Traditional Model of Sustainability,” Hori offers a glimpse into the intricate world of Japanese garden arts and invites attendees to explore the rich tapestry of exhibitions he has curated, spanning from historical retrospectives to contemporary expressions.

Meetings of the Rotary Club are held at the University Club of Pasadena, at 175 N. Oakland Ave., and are open to the public.

For the past seven years, Hori has overseen the relocation of a 320-year-old Japanese residence and garden from Marugame, Japan, to The Huntington’s two-acre site. His expertise encompasses programming for The Huntington’s Botanical Gardens, with a focus on Japanese garden arts, including landscape design, tea ceremony, flower arranging, stone viewing, and bonsai cultivation.

During his tenure, Hori has curated diverse exhibitions, such as “Nuestro Mundo” and “FloriLegium: Folded Transformations for the Natural World,” showcasing cultural richness.

Before joining The Huntington, Hori served as program director at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Los Angeles, organizing national tours of traditional Japanese performances.

At the upcoming Rotary Club meeting, Hori’s presentation will explore the historical significance of Huntington’s Japanese Heritage Shoya House, providing insights into traditional Japanese architecture and sustainability practices.

For non-members, a meeting fee of $45, inclusive of lunch, is charged. To RSVP, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1824_5dcKdrPfmlvqOlijSt5zJNjEWkVPVzW8hEbDb20/edit or email Wendy Anderson at office@pasadenarotary.com by 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to the meeting.

The Rotary Club also offers Zoom attendance at no cost, with the session starting at 12:15 p.m. for a meeting commencement at 12:30 p.m. To register for the Zoom meeting, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86515101523?pwd=dHhNZnV5c2ZqbzNQbWthbDNhYTladz09. The meeting ID is 865 1510 1523 and the passcode is 667356.

For more information, visit https://www.pasadenarotary.com/.