Our Southern Az Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC) Director Yuki Ibuki passed away on December 3, 2023 in his hometown of Kyoto, Japan. Funeral services will be held there on December 6 at Koeki-sha Minami-Bright Hall. He was 64 years old. A Tucson memorial service is pending.
Yuki served honorably and enthusiastically as our Director since May, 2017 and also performed Japanese songs at many of our Festivals. He often gave the welcome at our events and was one of our 2012 founding Council members. For many years he also organized Japanese community meet up lunches at various restaurants in Tucson. Yuki also participated in many tea ceremonies and haiku readings at Yume Japanese Gardens here in Tucson. He won honorable mention at several AZ Matsuri haiku contests.
Yuki was a practitioner for the Johrei Fellowship Tucson Center in Tucson, Arizona for many years, and was employed as a research specialist at the UA Respiratory Center for 10 years (University of Arizona/Dept. of Medicine/UAHS Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences.)
He is survived by his four children Hiroto, Yuko, Miiku and Masahiko and two grandchildren. Condolence messages can be sent to his son Hiroto Ibuki at:143 Yoshidakaguraoka-chou, Sakyou-ku, Kyouto-shi, Kyouto-Fu, Japan, Zip is 606-8311.
Rest In Peace Yuki, and we at SAJCC will miss you, and are grateful for your many years of service to our Tucson community.
Yuki was one of the nicest people I have ever met. Always kind and filled with joy. We will miss him greatly here at the University of Arizona. Please post on the upcoming Tucson memorial service for him, his UA family would very much like to be in attendance.
There are various discussions ongoing about when/where to have the memorial service, so stay tuned. Yes, Yuki was a very nice man and enjoyed living in Tucson and practicing Johrei, and promoting Japan.
The Tucson Johrei Center is hosting pot luck event on Feb. 26 in honor of Yuki as two of his sons will be in Tucson. Location is at their center, 6 to 8 pm., 3919 E. River Rd. See the event flyer under Upcoming Events.