“We can’t wait to welcome back our old friends and meet some new ones too! Yume will be re-opening its gates on October 1st, 2022. Enjoy the Gardens along with food from Takoyaki Balls food truck and a performance on the Japanese drums from Odaiko Sonora. After you soak in the music and fill up on the delicious food, there is another part of the Garden you can’t miss, our Museum and Gallery! Two beautiful exhibits will be debuting on the same day: Hokkaido: Silent Snow by Elizabeth Sanjuan and Obi: Beauty in a Knot from our private collection. Check out our website for more information on these stunning exhibits or to purchase your tickets in advance here: https://www.yumegardens.org/purchase-tickets.“
Usual hours of operation: Thurs. to Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
Japanese Netsuke: Upholding Cultural History of Japan
August 30, 2022 – January 22, 2023
“Japanese netsuke are cherished, valued and collected for their magnificent design and impressive carving. It is hard to imagine these small “sculptures” were initially artfully crafted utilitarian toggles, created to secure the cords of a man’s sagemono (hanging objects) in place on the obi (belt) of his kimono.
One might think these miniature Japanese carvings are solely tiny works of art until you notice the curious holes on the back or underside of these small sculptures. The pair of holes reveal their original function: they were artfully crafted toggles called netsuke, used to secure the cords of a man’s sagemono to his kimono belt (known as an obi). Kimono did not have pockets, so sagemono were small containers or pouches that hung on a cord and contained everyday essentials and money. Since they were a necessity worn every day by commoners and wealthy alike, netsuke were a fashion accessory, and high-status individuals would often have elaborately carved and extravagant netsuke.
The earliest netsuke were simple shapes made from wood, gourd, even tree root. From the Edo period (1615–1868) forward, a side industry for netsuke emerged. They were soon being carved from wood, ivory, tooth, tusk, horn, clay, porcelain, metal, lacquer, shell, and a variety of stones. As the industry expanded, so did the types of netsuke designs. Katabori is the most popular style. The katabori is a miniature carving of a figure, a person, animal, insect; it might even be an everyday object. Manju is the second most popular form and probably the original form of netsuke: its round shape mimics a small rice cake or bun. Ryusa is shaped like a manju, but carved like lace, so that light is transmitted through it. Sashi is an elongated netsuke. Members of the ruling class and those of means sought out the most sophisticated and beautiful netsuke, bearing witness to the fact that these toggles were valued for their artistic merit.
A survey of the subjects of netsuke carvings from the Edo period through the early 19th century provides an overview of the traditional values and mores of Japanese culture. Prior to the seventeenth century Japanese artists looked to China as the model for their artistic practice. As a result, the subjects of Japanese art were based on Chinese legends and legendary characters. Introduced in the 1620s the Ukiyo-e School founded by Iwasa Matahei (1577–1650), abandoned Chinese subjects and emphasized ordinary life, religion, history, folklore, and legends of Japan. Netsuke carvers embraced these subjects, and by the latter half of the 18th century had added several new subjects to their repertoire including gods of luck, daruma (a traditional Japanese doll symbolizing perseverance), signs of the zodiac, oni (demons), Japanese poets, historical events and even popular foreigners. Beginning in the 19th century, animals, birds, reptiles, vegetables, fruit and imagery evoking certain occupations also became subjects of netsuke.
Japan opened to the West during the Meiji period (1868–1912). With the introduction and popularity of western style clothing netsuke’s utilitarian purpose became obsolete. However, netsuke did not disappear captivated by their beauty, desire for these elaborately carved miniature “sculptures” launched a new trade industry with the Western world, solidifying the status of netsuke as works of art. Long after being outmoded, today’s netsuke are valued and collected due to their unique designs and the intricate carving skills of their creators, as well as being a testament to the legacy of Japanese fashion and culture.”
„These classes take place IN-PERSON in the Education Building Classroom here at the Gardens.
Class Dates: Sundays, September 25th, October 16th, and December 4th at 9am-12pm
Learn the art and science of bonsai with the Tucson Bonsai Society during the three-part workshop you will learn the techniques for long-term cultivation and shaping of plants in containers adapted to the horticulture of our Sonoran Desert.
Included:
Three classes of 3 hours each
Basic Class: A plant for you to choose suitable for bonsai in Tucson desert climate
Master Instructor, Rod McKenna will be your bonsai instructor
“Little Book of Bonsai” book by Jonas Dupuich as study reference material
Use of a variety of bonsai tools
Our experienced teachers will provide hands-on assistance throughout sessions
Training Wire
Soil
Basic Class Description
Class 1, Instructors cover Bonsai basics and history. They will demonstrate how to choose material for bonsai, and how to design the future tree with emphasis on style, visual front, trunk, limb structure and rootage. They will demonstrate pruning and wiring helping you to learn techniques. You will select a tree ideal for Tucson climate and begin caring and styling your tree until the next class.
Class 2. After the plant has rested for a month, the class will share knowledge of each participant’s plant choice and will explore the best species for training bonsai in our desert environment, and what to avoid. We will devote more on pruning and wiring, watering, fertilizers and climate. More discussions on major styles used for training your bonsai.
Class 3. In the final session (2 months under your care), we give plants more time to adjust for our climate change before we transplant the bonsai into a standard container. You may purchase other pots from noted bonsai artists if you wish for an addition fee from $20-$100. Cash or check accepted. You will be given proper bonsai mix during your repotting. And understanding how to mix your own for other trees in your collection.“
Click the button below to register for this series (all 3 classes). Price: $140 non-member, $112 member.Sign Up For This Class
