On January 15, 2013 Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson formally opened its doors to showcase a beautiful, tranquil Japanese Garden in the Southwest desert of Tucson, Arizona. Celebrate it’s 5th anniversary on Sat. January 13, 2018. “Yume” means dream in Japanese, which it was as the creation by Owner/E.D. Patricia Deridder, who lived in Japan for 15 years.
Odaiko Sonora, Tucson’s taiko drumming group (pictured below), will be performing at 1:30 and 3 p.m. UPDATE: Schedule below.
Annual Ikebana Festival at Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way, Nov. 21 to 26 (except Thanksgving Day Nov. 23): ”A series of workshops in Ikebana – traditional Japanese flower arranging and techniques – extends throughout the Fall/Winter season and is complemented by an Ikebana Festival November 21-26. This bi-annual event is one of the … Read more
“Japanese parents so cherish their sons and daughters that in 1948 they set aside the fifth day of every May as a national holiday to celebrate the health and happiness of their youngsters. Children of all ages and persuasions in Tucson will follow suit on Saturday, May 6, at the fourth annual Children’s Day Festival at Yume Japanese Gardens, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson opened in January 2013 as Southern Arizona’s only authentic Japanese gardens. Each May since, the non-profit has attracted hundreds to its Children’s Day Festival, with traditional Japanese wooden toys, goldfish netting, yukata (summer-weight kimonos) for youngsters to wear, and handicrafts, such as origami (paper folding).
New activities this year include showing children how to make bento: box-shaped containers that are universal in Japan for carrying home-packed meals to school or work. Bento kits, assembly lessons, chopsticks, and rice and other food for the boxes will be for sale for $15.
If you don’t know much about the 5 schools of ikebana flower arrangments, here’s your chance to enjoy them all together at Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way. www.yumegardens.org for admission prices, hours of operation. “Winter: 10:00-4:30 Tues. through Sun.; closed Mon. Rain or cold may prompt early closure; to check, call 520-272-3200.” Ongoing ikebana … Read more
Tucson Japanese Festival (new name) was held on January 14, 2017 at PCC Downtown, 1255 N. Stone Ave. to celebrate the New Year.
For the 4th year, Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC) sponsored a New Year’s festival featuring numerous performances and once again, mochi pounding (from rice). Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers and Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson were festival co-sponsors.
Origami paper folding was taught and Go, fukuwarai and kendama games were played upstairs in the campus center building. Also on display were ikebana flower arrangements, bonsai from the Tucson Bonsai Club, and calligraphy. Photos below courtesy of freelance photographer James Tokishi, except for last 4 photos by M. Fumie Craig.
