International School of Tucson is at 1701 E. Seneca St. (west of Campbell Avenue). Parking is free around the school.

• Saturday, November 18, 2023
• 12:00 PM  1:30 PM
• Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson (map)
• Google Calendar  ICS

“Haiku, the iconic Japanese short poem, is the definition of brevity.

Elegant due to its compactness of expression, its typically unrhymed versus only take up a few lines and a handful of syllables. As you can imagine, every single word counts. Revolving around seasonal topics and nature but often holding double meanings, these poems are a pleasure not only to read and understand, but also to try your hand at writing.

Our autumn haiku writing walk is a time to observe, reflect on, and collect perceptions and images both of nature and life which are used in the appreciation and creation of a 
haiku.

Led by award-winning haiku poet Kenneth Francis Pearson, this workshop will discuss the history, form, and aesthetics of haiku, followed by time in the Gardens to gather personal images and impressions (along with gentle Japanese music from Paul Amiel) which we will share afterwards in an informal time together.

About Kenneth F. Pearson:

Kenneth F. Pearson has established himself as an award-winning haiku poet with several distinguished awards and many notable publications. His work offers glimpses of truth and beauty discovered through a lifetime of exploration. Each poem is a mindful concentration of experience in a brief yet impactful format. Through his writing, teaching, and tireless promotion of the art form, Kenneth F. Pearson has demonstrated a strong passion for haiku. He uses it as a means to share insights and inspire mindfulness in others.”

Date/Time:

Saturday, November 18 @ 12pm – 1:30pm

Tickets:

$20 general/$10 Members 

Space is limited. Please reserve your spot!Purchase Tickets

Evenings at Yume – Floating Lanterns (Toro Nagashi)

• Friday, November 10, 2023 and Saturday November 11,2023
• 6:30 PM  8:30 PM
• Google Calendar  ICS

“Toro Nagashi (灯籠流し) refers to Japanese festivals where candle-lit lanterns are released into the water together with prayers for peace or to honor those who have passed.

The term “toro” refers to lanterns, and “nagashi” means flowing or floating. This practice is often associated with various cultural and religious events, particularly during Obon, a Japanese Buddhist custom to commemorate deceased ancestors’ spirits. This poignant and spiritual practice fosters a sense of deep connection between the living and the dead. It’s a way for people to express their love and respect for those who have passed away while also finding solace in the belief that their spirits continue their journey.

Purchase a floating lantern at the door, and launch it on our sparkling koi pond to participate in this ancient and symbolic Japanese tradition without ever leaving Tucson.

Before launching the lanterns, participants may write messages, prayers, or the names of deceased loved ones on the lanterns.

Enjoy this floating procession of lanterns and relax to the sound of Japanese folk music playing softly in the background. “

Date and Time:

11/10 and 11/11

6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Tickets:

General: $19 – Child (15 and under): $5 – Member: $15

Lanterns: $5Purchase Tickets

“In collaboration with the American Literary Translators Association and as part of the ALTA46 conference, we are proud to present Sawako Nakayasu.

Born in Japan and raised in the US,Sawako Nakayasu is an artist working with language, performance, and translation. Her newest books of poetry include Pink Waves (Omnidawn, 2023), a finalist for the PEN/Voelcker award, and Some Girls Walk Into The Country They Are From (Wave Books, 2020), both of which engage the intersection between writing and translation. Mouth: Eats Color – Sagawa Chika Translations, Antitranslations, & Originals is a multilingual work that combines both original and translated poetry. Settle Her, which was written on the #1 bus line in Providence on Thanksgiving Day of 2017, on the occasion of her cutting ties with normative Thanksgiving celebrations, is forthcoming from Solid Objects.

Additional support for the 2023-2024 Reading & Lecture Series was provided by Innovations in Healthy Aging – a strategic collaboration led by the University of Arizona Health Sciences, rethinking what it means to thrive while aging.”