Who Wants a Haneto Yukata? I do I do!

In honor of my taiko group's 15th Anniversary performances on Oct. 7th in which we perform Nebuta Daiko by Moko Igarashi, here is a fabulous video about the Nebuta festival in Japan. Pay attention to the uber cool haneto yukata!

If you will be in Tucson next weekend, come see us play! Or come to Tucson Meet Yourself festival on Oct. 14th- we're playing there as well. 

Arigato,

R

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson Opens this Weekend!

Howdy Kimono Lovers! There are many fun kimono-wearing events are starting this Sunday in Tucson at Yume! We also have fabulously beautiful weather but it's still relatively warm, so feel free to wear hitoe or a yukata. Maybe I will see you there. (Newsletter courtesy of Yume Japanese Gardens)

Fall Is Here, And We Welcome It -- And You -- Back To Yume.   Colorful leaves (koyo) are to the Japanese autumn what cherry blossoms are to spring. Viewing autumn leaves has been popular in Japan for centuries, and crowds flock to famous koyo spots in mountain and city every year. We can't offer you eye-popping reds and yellows, but reasons still abound to visit Yume as we reopen for the Fall 2017 season on October 1.  Exhibitions  Our season-opening exhibitions include "Between Folds: Origami Classical and Modern," a showing in our museum of ingenious folded paper forms by origami artist M. Craig. It will intrigue you. See what a clever imagination and dexterous fingers can do to transform flat squares of paper into 3-D sculptures without scissors or glue. Co-founder of the Tucson Origami Club, Craig has taught the techniques of this favorite pastime of both Japanese children and adults since 1996. The exhibition runs until December 31 and entrance is free with regular Gardens admission. We're also inaugurating a new gallery in our museum, showcasing the exhibition "Mingei: Old Japan on Hand."  Mingei is a Japanese folk art preservation movement that focuses on the beauty in items produced by average people that are practical and used in daily life. We're celebrating the nameless makers of traditional everyday objects of wood, bamboo, stone, ceramics, paper, textiles, and lacquer, gathered in our collection which spans more than 150 years. Although humble, these creations preserve the human touch in an era of mass production. This is a permanent and continuing exhibition, and entrance is free with regular Gardens admission. Free Artist Reception October 8, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Join us to meet Phoenix ceramicist and Ikebana master Ping Wei and inquire about the sources of his inspiration for his exhibition in our art gallery of "Enlightened Heart: Fire-engraved Wood Sculptures by Ping Wei." Using wood-burning tools and drawing on Asia's storehouse of poetry, legends, and spiritual philosophies, Wei fire-engraves wood tablets and sculptures of his own design with calligraphy and other images. If this free preview whets your appetite, return anytime through December 31 without additional charge except regular Gardens admission to view his works, all of which will be for sale. "The Spirit of Ikebana" October 13, 10:00 - 11:30 am The pleasures of traditional Japanese flower arranging may appeal to you, yet you may have trembled to enroll in one of our Ikebana workshops for instruction in a seemingly deeply mystifying discipline. Now you can get your feet wet first, as Patricia Deridder, founder and executive director of Yume, delves into the history and philosophy of Ikebana in this presentation, drawing on 45 years of learning and practicing the tradition and a life-long pursuit of its meditative Zen ethos. Then watch her demonstrate basic arrangement principles used by masters of the Ikenobo school of Ikebana in the most classical form of the art, dating back 550 years. Dare to dispel your fear of Ikebana for only $10, which does not include Gardens admission.  Tea Ceremony October 28, 4:30 - 5:30 pm Elegantly artistic and reverently performed, the tea ceremony has been a benchmark of culture and cultivation in Japan for nearly 1,000 years. In classical kimono and following time-honored etiquette, a master of "The Way of Tea" will prepare and serve you a cup of matcha, or powdered green tea, and a traditional Japanese sweet to nibble.The economy of movement of the master and the understated offerings made to the partakers belie the hidden emotions that this ritual can stir in you. Because this is one of our most popular events, you must reserve space to attend the ceremony. Please send your name, telephone number, and the number in your party to yume.gardens@gmail.comby Oct. 21. The cost is $15, plus Gardens admission. Gardens members pay only the ceremony fee. Not intended for children for under 15. Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshops We offer classes in two schools of Ikebana arrangement. Centuries-old Ikenobo emphasizes classical design rules, resulting in displays representing the quintessence of the Japanese spirit. Modern Sogetsu utilizes a broader range of materials to achieve arrangements more fluid and free in form. There is a $25 instruction and materials fee for Ikenobo workshops, payable in class to the instructor in cash or by check. Sogetsu workshops cost $35 per lesson. Advance registration is required for both categories of workshop. Please let us know which session(s) you wish to attend through an email to yume.gardens@gmail.com. Ikenobo School Classes: Oct. 17  6:00 – 8:00 pm Oct.  22 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Nov. 12 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Nov. 14  6:00 – 8:00 pm Dec. 5  6:00 – 8:00 pm Dec. 10 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Sogetsu School Classes: Oct. 8  Two sessions: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 3:00 pm Nov. 19 Two sessions: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 3:00 pm A Reminder About Our Hours and Days of Operation Weather permitting, we are open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, except Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25 & 31, and New Year's Day. Certain Ikebana classes and events such as artist receptions may be held after hours. And In Closing . . . . Many Yume members contributed to our year-long 2016 campaign to raise funds to shield our replica Japanese house and its neighboring farm shed with monsoon-proof metal roofs. This was a long-sought goal, because heavy rains damaged the clay walls of these traditionally designed and constructed buildings every summer, leading to costly repairs. Because of our members' generosity, we were able to roof the buildings in time to beat the 2017 monsoon. And lo and behold! Not a drop entered and not a fleck of clay was moistened. To all who contributed to this happy outcome, we send you our sincerest gratitude for your continuing support of Yume. Thank you!

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