“When most of us think of May 5, the Mexican-American festivity of Cinco de Mayo comes to mind. But in Japan May 5 is a national holiday — Children’s Day — set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. It was designated a national holiday by the Japanese government in 1948.
This May 5 Yume Japanese Gardens will celebrate girls and boys with yukatas (light summer kimonos) for youngsters, goldfish netting, origami, traditional toys from Japan, Taiko drumming, and much more. Flying above it all at the entrance to the Gardens will be koinobori — colorful, streaming wind socks shaped like carp. Best of all admission to the Gardens is free May 5 for all children 12 and under. We hope to see you there!”

Info at: www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org, the gardens are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (new hours for month of May), at 2130 N. Alvernon Way.

Tucson Bonsai Society’s spring show for the first time will be at the new Yume Japanese Gardens, 2130 N. Alvernon Way, on April 27 and 28, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Bonsai miniature trees will be on display throughout the gardens on both days, with demonstrations throughout the weekend.  “View dozens of artfully trained miniature trees and shrubs, to see pruning demonstrations, and to receive helpful tips on plant selection and care from dedicated Bonsai enthusiasts. Learn about choosing containers and display pots, grafting and root reduction, which species are easiest to train, and the history of this 1,000-year-old Japanese tradition.”

See: www.tucsonbonsaisociety.com, and www.tucsonjapanesegardens.org.

Public invited to the 11th Annual Japanese Speech Contest at PCC West on April 20, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.  There will be numerous Japanese cultural exhibits, along with three levels of Japanese language proficiency.  Schedule is below of this event sponsored by the Southern Arizona Association for Japanese Education:

Program

      Exhibitions:  12:00 – 4:00

Opening Ceremony / Speech Presentations (Category A): 12:30 – 1:00

 15 Minute Break

Japanese Traditional Dance by Suzuyuki-Kai: 1:15 – 1:35

  Audience Contest / Speech Presentations (Category B): 1:40 – 2:10

 15 Minute Break

Aikido Demonstration by Sonoran Aikikai: 2:25 – 2:45

 Audience Contest / Speech Presentations (Category C, Group 1): 2:50 – 3:15

 10 Minute Break

Audience Contest / Speech Presentations (Category C, Group 2): 3:30 – 3:50

 Taiko Performance by Odaiko Sonora: 4:00 – 4:30

                                                         Awards Ceremony: 4:35 – 5:00