“Join guest speaker Dr. Junko Sakoi to learn about the history of Japanese Incarceration in the United States on our Day of Remembrance. February 19th is the anniversary of Executive Order 9066 enacting the internment of civilians with Japanese ancestry. For questions and concerns, please contact APASA Coordinator at kristietham@arizona.edu.”
Feb. 19, 12 noon at APASA office, 1303 E. University Blvd., room 409A on fourth floor
“The University of Arizona is excited to welcome a professional Rakugo performer from the English Rakugo Association in Japan for a special workshop and performance in English! Rakugo is a traditional form of Japanese comedic storytelling, performed while seated on stage with only a folding fan and a hand towel as props.
This year, we are offering both a workshop and a performance to give participants a deeper understanding of this unique art form.
Feb. 20,2025
“Workshop: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Main Library Room 112), 1510 E. University Blvd.
Performance: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (ILC Room 140), 1500 E. University Blvd.
✳︎Workshop registration is limited to 30 participants!
✳︎Performance seating is available for up to 150 attendees!
We encourage students, faculty, and community members to join this cultural experience. Instructors are welcome to share this with their classes, and students may inquire about extra credit opportunities with their professors.”
“Please come and enjoy a visual treat from Tucson’s very own Kimono Club and Oakashi Flowers. This fashion show will include many different types of kimono styles, with a live discussion about the the art of kimono. All of the models featured will be members of the AZ Kimono Club, who will also be modelling kanzashi, or hair ornaments, handcrafted by local artist and owner of Oakashi Flowers. After the kimono demonstration, you will get to enjoy watching the intricate and beautiful process of making kanzashi by hand.
Kimono richly diverse, vibrant, and complex in design and in the art of wearing them. AZ Kimono Club prides itself on honoring this tradition by specializing in many ways to wear kimono and obi (the fabric belt worn outside of kimono). Come learn about the symbolizing and signifcance of color, texture, motifs, and more. Kanzashi traditionally were handmade flowers where every individual petal was sewn to create small works of art to be worn with kimono. This craft is painstaking yet amazingly striking to see in person.
Oakashi Flowers will have items for sale before and after the fashion show, proceeds of which will benefit both the organization and the Gardens.”
Dates & Time:
2/16
12PM – 2PM
Tickets:
General Admission: $20
Children: $5
Advanced ticket reservation is required. This is a limited admission event.
“This is a new session which enhances our Path to Emotional Healing Program at Yume Japanese Gardens. We recommend it as both a standalone experience or as part of your initial journey on the Path to Emotional Healing Program. This two-hour reflective journaling experience invites participants to explore the profound connection between nature and their inner selves. Rooted in the tranquil beauty of the gardens, the session serves as a foundation for the transformative journey ahead, encouraging participants to align their emotional healing with the serenity and wisdom of nature.
Through guided mindfulness exercises, journaling prompts, and personal reflection, participants will begin to perceive the gardens as a mirror to their emotions – a space where growth, resilience, and joy are nurtured. The session encourages them to explore their personal stories with curiosity and compassion, using the natural elements of the garden as inspiration for self-discovery and emotional renewal.
This reflective exercise introduces participants to the program’s purpose: building emotional balance, self-awareness, and a sense of peace through regular solo walks in the gardens. It sets the tone for a month-long journey of healing, where participants are guided by their personal reflections and the garden’s timeless rhythms.
Kenneth Pearson has a MFA in Creative Writing with a MS in Industrial Organizational Psychology. He serves as the Digital Librarian of The Haiku Foundation, is the Facilitator of the Haiku Walk at Yume Japanese Gardens in Tucson, and the author of two haiku collections. For Kenneth, Haiku has become a cornerstone of his life, teaching him to appreciate simplicity, presence, and the fleeting beauty of each moment.“
Date/Time:
Saturday, February 15, 2025
11am – 1pm
Tickets:
$60 General Admission
Advanced Reservations required. Please purchase your ticketsin advance for this event.
“Matcha has gained immense popularity in the United States recently, but its importance in Japan extends back centuries, deeply intertwined with the nation’s long-standing tea culture. Members of the Sakura Tea Circle will share matcha’s fascinating history, the growing and cultivation of the tea plant, and traditional matcha preparation tools and techniques. Each guest will learn how to whisk matcha and receive a whisk, tea scoop, and matcha samples to take home. This introductory session is ideal for both newcomers to Japanese tea and those seeking to deepen their matcha knowledge.”