“Tucson’s first and only authentic Japanese gardens reopen for their fourth consecutive Fall/Winter season Saturday, October 1 with a unique exhibition of vintage and contemporary Japanese hanging scrolls.
Besides the continuing exhibition of scrolls, the Fall/Winter activities at the non-profit Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson will feature a showing later in the season of intimate photography of Japanese gardens, street scenes, and other images of Kyoto, the nation’s capital from 794 to 1868 and one of the country’s most traditional venues. Entrance to exhibitions and gallery shows is free with admissions to the Gardens.
The opening scroll exhibition highlights kakejiku, hanging scrolls that point up the beauty, fine workmanship, uniqueness, and collectability of this classic genre of Japanese art. The 18th-, 19th– and 20th-century scrolls on show are decorated with delicately hand-painted images of birds and other animals, trees and plants, landscape views, mythological creatures such as dragons, and Japanese calligraphy in ink-wash script.
Yume Japanese Gardens showcases five traditional Japanese garden designs on three quarters of an acre and has been drawing a growing stream of visitors from the Tucson community, from across the nation, and from Mexico since its opening in January 2013. Revealing pathways and layered plantings offer courtyard views of classical Japanese imagery. A Zen contemplative garden, a stone and gravel garden representing sea and islands, and a tranquil strolling pond garden with koi provide further examples of Japanese garden styles.
Additions to the Gardens over the years include buildings hand-constructed to Japanese designs and erected using Japanese building techniques, a museum, and an extensive gift shop with handicrafts, kimonos, vases, gardening and landscaping design books, and childrens’ toys and other items imported directly from Japan. Activities at the Gardens include therapeutic guided garden walks to assist the emotionally distressed, photography and Japanese art exhibits, flower shows, tea ceremonies, Japanese language and calligraphy lessons, musical and theatrical performances, and seasonal traditional Japanese cultural festivals for visitors of all ages.
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The Gardens are a non-profit organization open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily October 1 to May 3, weather permitting. They are located at 2130 N. Alvernon Way, one block south of the Tucson Botanical Gardens. Admission discounts are available for senior, military, student, and child visitors. For more information, call Allen Boraiko at 520.343.2920 or emailyume.gardens@gmail.com. Or visit www.yumegardens.org.”
