NEW Stone Carvings Booklet at the Garden

 

Seattle Butoh Festival 2021: FemAlchemy

Joan Laage in Rivers Running Red (by Antagon Theater)

The return of our annual festival!

Joan Laage, a longtime guide and director of the Seattle Japanese Garden’s annual summer event Wandering & Wondering, and DAIPAN butoh Collective are pleased to feature New York City-based artist Vangeline in the return of its annual festival taking place November 19-21, 2021 at the YAW Theater in Georgetown. The program order with some “teasers” are below for your convenience. Come join us!

Yaw will be following the governmental guidelines. Audience and workshop participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative covid test 2-3 days before events and to wear masks.

https://www.facebook.com/daipanbutoh  

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/169424351797

Kaoru Okumura & Aoi Lee (by Jason Renek)

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 19
ALYCIA SCOTT ZOLLINGER: Murmur
Delving into the currents and pulses of inner emotional atmospheres and the external social and psychological murmurs mothers have navigated throughout history.

ROBYN BJORNSON: Grandmother’s Hands
Weaving the past, present, and future with ritual and the natural world.  

 

SHERI BROWN:Red WolfeDragonfly

Choosing liberation and accessing holes that are already here to invite the return of innocence. 

 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20
JOAN LAAGE/KOGUT BUTOH:Rivers Running Red
Inspired by an article exposing the practice in certain traditional societies of sending women off to the mountains to remain in huts and, all too often not surviving the harsh conditions.

DHYANA GARCIA: Exquisite Complexity
Embodiment of women’s voices narrating what feminine energy means to them and the role it plays in their lives: for them personally, for the Earth,and the current world situation. 

KAORU OKUMURA & AOI LEE:AWAHI 
An offering for sorrowful souls, as in an ancient folklore about the movement of twin females as a mystic ritual. 

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21
VANGELINE:Eternity 123 

Celebrating the impact of women on the art form butoh, exploring the link between women, butoh, and “cabaret.” 

HELEN THORSEN: Pearl
Imagining each of our souls as a perfect pearl separate yet connected on a lovely string stretched out to infinity in the dark cosmos. 

WORKSHOPS
BUTOH WORKSHOP WITH VANGELINE 
November 20,  12-4 pm  [YAW]

EMBODYING THE SPIRIT: THE BODY FINDS ITS WAY WITH JOAN LAAGE 
November 21,  12-4 pm  [BASE next door]

Vangeline in Eternity 123 (by Marko Poolamets)

Thanks to 4Culture’s Sustained Support Grant and DAIPAN’s fiscal sponsor Shunpike.

Maple Festival 10/8 to 10/17

Photo by Peggy Garber on 10/16/2021


Photo by Chie Iida

Maple Viewing Festival is a time of year to enjoy
the brilliant fall colors that fill the Seattle Japanese Garden. 
Although the Maple Festival ends October 17,
the garden remains open on its regular schedule and the
all colors will continue to develop throughout October.

SEE MORE PHOTOS on the Special Events Tab

2021 Moon Viewing Haiku Contest Saturday, September 11, 2021

SJG • 9/11/21

       Judged on Saturday by David Berger and Michael Dylan Welch

        Pictures by Tony Monk

SJG • 9/11/21

The Seattle Japanese Garden’s annual moon viewing festival returned again for two nights on Friday, September 10, and Saturday, September 11, 2021. This was after a break in 2020 when the festival was not held because of the coronavirus pandemic. For 2021, both nights were sold out to a maximum of 250 attendees, and everyone wore masks—and so did the moon both evenings, masked by clouds and thus unseen. This year we limited entries to one poem per person (we had welcomed up to two in previous years), which sped up and simplified the judging process. We received 44 entries the first night and 47 the second night, for a total of 91 haiku. 

The following are our selections for Saturday. As before, we selected poems for their clarity, freshness, sometimes humor and timeliness, and for evocatively portraying the moon, even if we couldn’t see it. No prizes were available this year, but we believe that everyone “won” simply by taking a moment to write about their moon-viewing experiences. One of the honorable mentions was by a poet who said it was his birthday that day, so when we shared his poem, we led the entire audience in singing “Happy Birthday.” Our congratulations to each winner, and to everyone who tried their hand at writing haiku. Our gratitude to the Seattle Japanese Garden for its ongoing support of haiku through these annual contests.

For more information about Haiku Northwest, which meets monthly in the Seattle area, and holds an annual haiku retreat, please visit www.haikunorthwest.org.

SJG • 9/11/21 - Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor and Dancers, Tsukiko ("Moon Child")

, 

Saturday, September 11, 2021

 

First Place

 

red-tipped leaves

every moonlit meeting

blushing deeper

 

         Laura Lorenz                                                                                        

 

 

Second Place

 

clouds obscure the sky

is the rabbit in the moon?

the gardens still glow

 

         Setsuko Hosoda                                                                                 

 

 

Third Place

 

in my treasure box

another moon viewing

lived through

 

         Aleksandra Monk                                                                              

 

SJG • 9/11/21 - Koto no WA, ensemble evolved from a koto class at Nikkei Manor

 

Honorable Mentions

(in alphabetical order by last name)

 

 

new year upon me

so much to look forward to

family, friends, and . . . new moon!

 

         Mark English (on his birthday)                                                 

 

 

the leaves are turning

finally! the moon sighs and

turns away again

 

         Chris Fronek                                                                                         

 

 

SJG • 9/11/21 - Leanna Keith, freelance flutist, artist, improviser, and composer in the Seattle area

koi gulp the moon’s reflection

pellets scatter as my Dad

laughs with children

 

         Elizabeth Martin                                                                               

 

 

let us see the harvest moon—

in person please

not on Zoom

 

         Bill McGee  

                                                                                           

SJG • 9/11/21

 

fresh-cut grass

candlelight singing

the crowd sighs

 

         Tamara Power-Drutis                                                                    

 

 

visualizing the silver moon

portent of changes for fall

wearing a cloud mask

 

         Bill Rumpf                                                                                              

 

SJG • 9/11/21

I know you are there

the clouds won’t always mask you

moonlight exists inside

 

         Max Schneider   

                                                                                 

 

SJG • 9/11/21

 

Honorable Mentions (Youth)

 

rabbit of the moon—

is it cheesy where you are

like cheddar bunnies?

 

         Max Curran (age under 18)                                                        

 

 

dusk settles in

moonlight glows the darkened sky

peace at night

 

                  August Eby (age 14)

SJG • 9/11/21

SJG • 9/11/21 - Koto no WA

Thank you, Haiku Northwest!

2021 Moon Viewing Haiku Contest Friday, September 10, 2021

 

SJG •  9/10/21

Judged on Friday by Tanya McDonald and Michael Dylan Welch 

(Separate post on Saturday haiku upcoming)

Pictures by Peggy Garber

SJG • 9/10/21

The Seattle Japanese Garden’s annual moon viewing festival returned again for two nights on Friday, September 10, and Saturday, September 11, 2021. This was after a break in 2020 when the festival was not held because of the coronavirus pandemic. For 2021, both nights were sold out to a maximum of 250 attendees, and everyone wore masks—and so did the moon both evenings, masked by clouds and thus unseen. This year we limited entries to one poem per person (we had welcomed up to two in previous years), which sped up and simplified the judging process. We received 44 entries the first night and 47 the second night, for a total of 91 haiku. 

The following are our selections for Friday. As before, we selected poems for their clarity, freshness, sometimes humor and timeliness, and for evocatively portraying the moon, even if we couldn’t see it. No prizes were available this year, but we believe that everyone “won” simply by taking a moment to write about their moon-viewing experiences. Our congratulations to each winner, and to everyone who tried their hand at writing haiku. Our gratitude to the Seattle Japanese Garden for its ongoing support of haiku through these annual contests.

 

For more information about Haiku Northwest, which meets monthly in the Seattle area, and holds an annual haiku retreat, please visit www.haikunorthwest.org.

 

SJG • 9/10/21

Friday, September 10, 2021

 

First Place

 

wonder how to dress

for a moon viewing party?

the koi wear white, gold

 

         David Takami                                                                                      

 

 

Second Place

 

the air is still—

suddenly three birds launch

searching for the moon

 

         Paul Pietromonaco                                                                         

 

 

Third Place

 

we change, earth changes—

I look up at the same moon

my ancestors did

 

         Aaron Morton                                                                                     

 

SJG • 9/10/21

 

Honorable Mentions

(in alphabetical order by last name)

 

 

it’s a moon viewing

in the grey . . . it’s beautiful

anyway . . . the garden

 

         Brady Curtis                                                                                         

 

 

northwest moon, hiding

with the gods, behind gray clouds

holding back the rain

 

         Robert Diaz                                                                                           

 

 

SJG • 9/10/21

koi beneath the bridge

bonsai balancing moonlight

pines piercing the sky

 

         Larry Hubbell                                                                                      

 

 

moon’s first glimmer

long across the water

first soft kiss of a new night

 

         Nick Kreucher                                                                                      

 

SJG • 9/10/21

 

we gathered to see

Lady Luna hides her face

the clouds make her shy

 

         Dana Pietromonaco                                                                       

 

 

cloudy evening

trace of moonglow

autumn’s coming

 

         Doug Santoni                                                                                      

 

 

SJG • 9/10/21

Honorable Mentions (Youth)

 

 

gentle moonshine—

draping the walls in silver

balancing the world

 

         Piper Belfiore (age 14)                                                                   

 

 

the moon climbs the sky

the earth is under my feet

the sun is far gone

 

                  Reed (age 11)

 

SJG • 9/10/21

SJG • 9/10/21

Thank you, Haiku Northwest!

2021 Moon Viewing - September 10 & 11

 

Ticket sales for Moon Viewing 2021 will begin
on Tuesday, August 24th at noon.

Tickets on sale at this Link.

Photography Workshop with Ray Pfortner 2021

  

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN

This workshop focuses on low-light and full moon photography. Learn tips and techniques during the first session, then put them into practice at the Seattle Chinese Garden, including a rare chance to be inside the Knowing the Spring Courtyard after dark. 

This workshop is open to all experience levels and digital cameras—including smart phones!

PREPARATORY SESSION: August 14th, 7-10 pm – Chan Center Classroom & Garden

LOCATION SHOOT: August 21, 7-10om – Shooting in the garden

SHARING SESSION: August 31, 6-9 pm

TUITION: $185 per person

PARTICIPANTS: Limited to 16, minimum age is 14

REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ray-pfortner-photo-workshop-tickets-162575225877

LOCATION: Seattle Chinese Garden 6000 16th Ave. S.W

   South Seattle College north entrance

Visit us online at: https://www.seattlechinesegarden.org

Ray Pfortner is an educator and professional photographer whose work focuses on nature, landscapes, environmental issues, and gardens, especially Asian gardens. With a special interest in coaching new talent, Ray teaches workshops in partnership with colleges, art centers, artist stores, and organizations regionally and nationally.  

To learn more about Ray and his work: raypfortner.com  

For questions about the workshop: raypfortner@gmail.com

SJG Garden Party - Tickets on Sale Now

 Seattle Japanese Garden - Garden Party

Aug 12 from 6-9pm at the garden

Tickets are first come first serve and a sell-out is expected.

Click her to purchase your tickets now.

Update on Covid Safety Procedures at the Seattle Japanese Garden

Photo courtesy of David Rosen/SlickPix Photography & the Arboretum Foundation

From the Garden Staff and the Arboretum Foundation:  rules governing visitors to the Seattle Japanese Garden will be changing over the coming weeks.  To find out more, please see the Japanese Garden Website at An Update Regarding Covid-19 Safety Procedures — Seattle Japanese Garden.

Upcoming Garden Events

 July 7, 2021 Virtual Tanabata - Star Festival

Click here for more information

 July 15, 2021 Virtual Kaleidoscope Series: Chanoyu - Way of Tea - Urasenke Style

Click here for more information>

August 12, 2021 Garden Party Fundraiser in the Garden

Click here for more information

Unit 86 Reminder - June 15th - Stone Objects Preview

 Dewey Webster will preview his updated booklet about the Stone Objects in the Seattle Japanese Garden.  This event is for Unit 86 members, who will receive a Zoom link email soon.

Upcoming Events:

May 17, 5pm - Okan Arts Chat - Patricia Belyea chatting with Amy Katoh about  Japanese folk textiles—indigo, kasuri, boro and more.  Click here for more info & to Register.

May 18 - Bruce Williams on "The History and Art of Bonsai."  Info email will be forthcoming.

May 22 - Ikebana International Annual Exhibition online, plus demonstrations.  Click here to see and scroll down on the Home page.

from Unit 86 Continuing Ed Chair:  Jeanne Peterson

See what's blooming in Late April 2021

Have you been to the garden lately?  Every week brings new colors and a new look.  If you can't get to the Garden in person, head to the Special Events page to see new photos from mid and late April.



Click HERE to see what's Blooming.

Nihon Buyo Performance and Panel Discussion

 Presented virtually
by Japan Arts Connection Lab
Thursday, April 22, 2021  7-8pm

Our own Joan Laage will be one of the discussion panel members at this free online event featuring past performances by master Nichibu dancer Satsuki Onoe.

Click here for more information and to Register.

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

Friday, April 9

The Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival starts this Friday April 9 with many different cultural events. Among them, demonstrations of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) will be shown on Friday at set times that are available by logging in on Friday. Also, an exhibit of Ikebana arrangements from several different Ikebana schools will be on display. After April 9, the demonstrations and arrangements will be available on Youtube at any time; the Youtube link will be on the Cherry Blossom Festival site.  (info forwarded by Eleanore Baxendale & Jeanne Peterson) 

This FREE VIRTUAL event begins at 11am.  
Click here for more information

April brings early Spring Buds

A early April visit to the Seattle Japanese Garden reveals the beginning of flowers.   (All photos by Peggy Garber)

See More Photos under the Special Events tab.