SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
VOLUME 26 | ISSUE 5
Dear Members and Friends: As we observe leaves fluttering to the ground in the fall, we are reminded of the cycles of seasons. Each visit to the garden will vary because the garden itself is different each day (season, weather, time of day). Autumn is the season of transition. The freshness of the air reveals that fall is just around the corner. You may notice the red foliage of Japanese maple trees which represents the onset of autumn. The Japanese Friendship Garden celebrated another successful year of Obon Festival with the Buddhist Temple of San Diego. Visitors enjoyed activities in the Garden including games, food, dancing, beer garden and more. The Bon Odori dancing was held at the Organ Pavilion on the first day. The event was followed by Toro Nagashi (floating of the lanterns) on the second day at the Garden’s lower pond. This activity is traditionally performed on the final evening of the Obon Festival in the belief that it will help to guide the souls of the departed to the spirit world.
Japanese Friendship Garden Society of San Diego 2125 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 (619)232-2721 | www.niwa.org | jfgsd@niwa.org
10th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival
Sat, March 7th (10am - 4pm) | Sun, March 8th (11am - 3pm)
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID San Diego, CA Permit No. 2949
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
JFG Members FREE Kids 6 & under FREE Non-members: $6 Adults, $5 Senior, Student, Military
Celebrate spring and the blooming of our cherry trees at the 10th Annual Cherry Blossom Festival! SEE cultural entertainment and demos TASTE authentic Japanese street foods and drinks TRY fun crafts and kids activities SHOP unique gifts Enjoy samples from our Beer & Sake Garden sponsored by Asahi Beer and Gekkeikan Sake! Bring your picnic blankets to enjoy Hanami, the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom viewing! **Food, beer and sake garden, and kid’s area tickets sold separately. In the event of severe weather, Festival will be cancelled. Please check our website for the latest information.
IN THIS ISSUE .
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JFG Docent Training, Volunteer at the Garden, Karen Sano: The Interaction, Cute, Cute Kawaii After Party
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Annual Gala Awards Dinner, Celebrating 100 Years, December Nights, Parkwide Halloween Family Day
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Calendar & Class Schedule Performances and Demonstrations
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Welcome Members, Donors
Floating of the Lanterns The Japanese Friendship Garden is excited to announce our Path to Wellness program that will begin in October. The program will consist of five-day sessions which include eight walks and a presentation of how to cultivate a meaningful experience in a Japanese garden that supports personal wellbeing. Participants will begin to understand how to create a unique personal experience in a nurturing environment that influences their minds and bodies. For more information about our wellness program please visit our website at www.niwa.org.
A BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS OF THE JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO
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FG Docent Training, Autumn 2016
Do you enjoy learning and meeting new people? Do you enjoy gardening or Japanese culture? Join the Japanese Friendship Garden docent team that serves thousands of local, national, and international guests who visit JFG every year. Docents should be courteous, selfstarting, and continuous learners.
The Garden is having a nine week intensive training session that thoroughly covers the history of JFG, botanic knowledge, Japanese culture, speaking techniques, and more. Training begins Wednesday, September 14 from 10am - 12pm and continues weekly at those same hours. Please RSVP and attend the September 14 orientation—obligation free—to learn more about the program firsthand by other JFG docents. www.niwa.org/docent-training-2016 .
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olunteer at the Garden!
Join the JFG Volunteer Team today! The Garden always welcomes new volunteers and holds a volunteer orientation, monthly. Sign up here! http://signup. com/go/GvgLnu. For more information, contact Olga Cortes at volunteer@niwa.org or (619) 232-2781. Internships are available for students seeking school credit. Email your resume and cover letter to volunteer@niwa.org. This month we’d love to highlight Veronica Loving! Veronica has been volunteering at the Garden since this summer and has been a great help in the office. She comes in weekly and helps out in all departments. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication, Veronica!
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aren Sano: The Interaction November 4th - January 28th, 2016 Exhibit Hall
The Japanese Friendship Garden welcomes Karen Sano and her selection of koi paintings and Shino vessels. “The Interaction” portrays Sano’s interest in koi, their beauty, grace, strength, and curious personality. She seeks to exemplify koi paintings in contemporary style using her unique personal artistic views.
In this exhibition, Sano highlights hand made stone wares. Sano’s stone wares are coated with shino glaze. Shino glaze is a generic term for a family of pottery glazes. They tend to range in color from milky white to orange, sometimes with charcoal grey spotting, known as “carbon trap” which is the trapping of carbon in the glaze during the firing process. The two different mediums balance each other and determine the underlying moods and appreciation of her subjects. There will be an artist demonstration on Saturday, November 5th. Please contact Emiko Scudder at (619)232-2784 for additional information. Opening reception : November 10th 4:30-6:30pm. Admission $5, RSVP at registrar@niwa.org.
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iki Museum Crawl Day October 7th, 2016
The Balboa Park Online Collaborative is organizing a Wiki Museum Crawl Day during the Wiki Conference in San Diego. The Japanese Friendship Garden is participating in the Wikipedia collaboration event that will involve a project called WikiThree. Conference participants will be asked to assist park institutions in improving their articles in Wikipedia using institution’s resources. Wikipedia editors will perform fact checking, adding references, uploading images and shooting video.
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apanese Friendship Garden Annual Gala Awards & Dinner
This year’s Annual Gala took place on Thursday, August 18th. Over 175 guests enjoyed the special evening in celebration of our honorees: Supervisor Ron Roberts and the Muraoka Family. The Garden was honored to have recognized the important contributions both Supervisor Roberts and the Muraoka Family have made to our region.
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ecember Nights December 2nd & 3rd, 2016
December Nights is just around the corner! Please join us on December 2nd and 3rd to enjoy the festivities or come volunteer at the garden! Balboa Park December Nights is the largest free community festival in San Diego, attracting more than 350,000 visitors over two days.
Special guests included: San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria, Chula Vista City Councilmember Pamela Bensoussan, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Akira Chiba and Honorary Consul General of Japan in San Diego Kate Leonard.
A highlight of the evening was a performance by our very own Taiko Summer Camp participants who worked very diligently to prepare for their performance guided by their instructor Noel Garcia and his team Genbu Daiko. Thank you to all who made this year’s Gala a great success particularly Encore Catering & Events, Continental Catering, The French Gourmet and San Diego Linens.
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elebrating 100 years of Roald Dahl!
The Japanese Friendship Garden along with a few institutions in Balboa Park are collaborating with the Write Out Loud to celebrate 100 Years of Roald Dahl on Sunday, September 18th in Balboa Park from 11am - 5pm. The Write Out Loud - an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading short stories aloud for a live audience.
The Garden will have a Japanese finger painting workshop led by Annie McPherson for only $15! You may sign up at https://48323.blackbaudhosting.com/48323/Japanese-FingerPainting-Workshop or you can just click the link on our page http://niwa.org/node/2444.
In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9pm both evenings. The Garden will be open for free on Saturday. We’ll need volunteers to cashier, cook yakisoba, run food, rice, or assemble hot drinks. Helpers get a free meal and parking permit. Contact Olga at 619-232-2781 or email volunteer@niwa.org for more information.
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arkwide Halloween Family Day
October 29, 2016
Join the Japanese Friendship Garden as we participate in the Balboa Park-wide Halloween Family Day on Saturday, October 29. This special day is a great way for families to kickoff Halloween, offering fun for all ages! Over two dozen Balboa Park museums and cultural attractions will participate. The festivities will take place both inside of Balboa Park organizations and near the Plaza de Panama. Each institution will have a Halloween themed activity. For example, Spanish Village will have a doggie costume contest and the San Diego Air & Space Museum will hold a rooftop pumpkin drop. At the Japanese Friendship Garden, kids will be able to make their own monster masks. Along the Prado Walkway, kids will also have the opportunity to make their own monster puppet! The festivities will take place from 11am – 4pm. Children 12 and under are FREE to all participating institutions with a paid adult admission.
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Calendar & Class Schedule
The Garden offers a unique variety of classes and demonstrations to all visitors. It is a vital part of our mission to provide educational programs that promote understanding of the Japanese heritage among people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
(No class on 3rd Tuesday of each month)
11am/12pm Sun, Mon, Thurs, Frid, Sat
Date: Every Tuesday except for 3rd Tuesday Time: 1pm - 2pm Fee: Free with admission Description: Meditation is a great tool for relaxation and peace of mind which also helps us deal with negative thoughts, emotions and situations. Your instructor will teach several techniques including breathing to guide you. Meditation will be held in front of the “Sekitei” (rock garden) viewing room. The bare simplicity of the raked white gravel and grey rocks absorbs our thoughts and is devoid of clutter. One is able to gaze without judgment, without criticism, nothingness, reaching the quietude of oneself. Instructor: Yumi Rakers, R.Y.T.
Lower Canyon Expansion Area (Free with Admission)
Go Club (Wednesdays)
Please call the office at (619) 232-2721 or email programs@niwa.org to register. Fees help to cover class expenses and support the Garden. Cancellation Policy: Refunds are made only in the event of the Garden’s cancellation of the class.
Docent Tour Schedule
Please check the website for updated schedules Upper Level (Free with Admission) 1:30pm additional tours available on Sept 10 and 24, Oct 8 & 22
12pm/1pm daily except Monday and Tuesday
3pm additional tours available on Sept 10 & 24, Oct 8 & 22 **Please see exact schedule on www.niwa.org/calendar. This schedule is subject to change.
Class Schedule Yoga classes
Date: Wednesdays (Gentle), Thursdays (Hatha), Friday (Vinyasa, Ashtanga) Time: 9:00am – 10:00am Fee: $6 Members, $8 General Attend 5 classes and get the 6th Free) Description: Relax your body & calm the busy mind! Enjoy a mindful yoga class in the peaceful serenity of the Garden. Practitioners of all levels are welcome. Please bring a mat & water, and avoid heavy foods before class. Mornings can be cool, so dress in comfortable layers. The class will be held either at the koi pond or at the lower garden pavilion deck. Please inquire at programs@niwa.org or 619.232.2722. Instructor: Lisa Hampton (Wed),Timothy Weir Schultheis (Thu), Taejung Lee (Fri)
Sogetsu-style Ikebana Class (Tuesdays)
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Meditation (Tuesdays)
Date: Every Tuesday Time: 9:30am – 11:30am Fee: $15 one session, $50 for four Description: This weekly Sogetsu School ikebana class is designed for a wide range of talents from novices to advanced students. Please bring your own kenzan, a shallow container, Ikebana (gardening) scissors, flowers and branches. Instructor: Yumi Rakers
Date: Every Wednesday Time: 3pm – 4:30pm Fee: Free with Admission Description: Go, the national game of Japan, is the oldest board game in the world. This introductory class is intended for students, but all are welcome to attend. Classes are typically held in the Activity Center. Each class will include instruction and time for individual games. Instructor: Ted Terpstra
Craft Club (First Mondays)
Date: Sept 5 & Oct 3 Time: 10am -12pm Fee: $10 General (annual fee) Description: The Craft Club welcomes all who have an interest in paper crafts! We make greeting cards, origami, ornaments and gift items to sell at the Garden’s gift shop. New members who want to help the Garden and learn more about traditional Japanese crafts are invited to join.
JAPANESE LANGUAGE CLASSES
Date &Time: Thursdays, 6pm – 7:30pm; Session #1 = October 13, 20, 27 & November 3; Session #2 = November 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15, and 22; Session #3 = January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16 Fee: Flat Fee $275 for first session, $325 for second and third sessions each, $85 for materials (one time fee) JFG is joining forces with renowned language school Berlitz to teach an interactive beginning Japanese language for adults. Students learn naturally by listening, repeating, and speaking with a native instructor from Japan. Classes are highly interactive with students speaking 50% of the time. Class content is adapted for the Japanese Friendship Garden. www. niwa.org/language-class
Tea Ceremony Class
Urasenke Tea Ceremony Class (weekly class) Date &Time: Sept 10, 17, 24, & Oct 1, 8 Sat | 11am – 12pm Fee: $50 Members, $60 NonMembers Description: The Urasenke San Diego Association will hold its spring class on tea ceremony beginning on Saturday, September 10. Impress your Japanese friends and family with your sophistication about Japanese tea culture. Learn about the history of the tea ceremony, tea drinking etiquette, and how to properly use fukusa linen and sensu fans during a tea ceremony. The teachers are experienced, friendly, and enthusiastic about passing these traditions to the San Diego community. These five-session adult introductory classes are $50 for members and $60 non-members. All materials are included in the price. Students should be available for all five Saturday classes. Please join us for this special cultural experience! www.niwa.org/tea
SHICHI GO SAN
Date &Time: Nov 12, 13, & 19 | 9am – 4pm Fee: Garden Members: $110 per child (10% sibling discount applies), $150 per adult Non-Members: $120 per child (10% sibling discount applies), $160 per adult Description: Shichi-Go-San (meaning 7-5-3) is one of the most widely practiced traditions in Japan. Girls of age three and seven years old and boys of age three and five years old will be celebrated for the well-being and growth in traditional kimonos and photographed in our beautiful Garden. www.niwa.org/753
Connecting with Nature Program at JFG
Date &Time: Sept 20 (Free Tuesday) | 10am – 2pm Fee: Garden Members: $15 members, $35 non-members Description: The Japanese Friendship Garden is collaborating with Jeanne’s Garden Program for Children on an all-inclusive workshop on Japanese folklore and fairy gardens. Create your own kodama tree spirits and kokedama moss balls. Take home your crafts! All proceeds go to fund this program and other garden programs throughout San Diego County. www.niwa.org/ connectingwithnature
Suds & Science: Feeding a Planet—Climate Change and Global Food Security
Date & Time: Sept 12 |6:30-8pm Fee: $10 Description: Join us for the Fleet’s Suds & Science at the Japanese Friendship Garden as Dr. Jennifer Burney, assistant professor and environmental scientist at UCSD, discusses the effects food and climate change have on each other and how we might feed the world and stabilize climate at the same time. This is your monthly chance to connect with other curious scientific minds over a beer—or two—and take part in an in-depth discussion about important scientific topics. Special guest, Chef Joshua Ploeg, so bring your appetites, too! For tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/suds-sciencefeeding-a-planetclimate-change-and-global-food-securitytickets-26793451936
Cultural Demonstration & Performances UrasenkeTea Ceremony Demonstration Date & Time: Saturdays Sept 3 & Oct1 at 1pm & 2pm Tuesdays Sept 13 & Oct 11 at 11:30am Fee: Free with admission Location: Exhibit Hall Instructor: Urasenke San Diego Association
Koto & Shakuhachi (Saturday)
Date & Time : Sept 10 & Oct 8 | 1pm-2pm Free with admission Musicians: Kyoko Takeda (koto) & Jon Crick (shakuhachi)
Tibetan Gong Concert
Date &Time: October 30 (Sunday) 5pm – 7pm Fee: $15 Pre-sale, $20 at the door Tibetan bowl teacher and healer Diane Mandle presents her art at the Japanese Friendship Garden on the final Sunday evening of October. Sound healing through vibration reduces stress and promotes health and sense of peace. More details to follow. www.niwa.org/soundenergy JFG Programs partly funded by
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Welcome NEW Members Aigul Kalimullina Alaina Ontiveros Amelia Broome Andrea and Alberto Nicolas Arthur Prouty Arthur Webb Ayrat and Aigul Fayzullin Blaine Renner Brian and Montinee Sanders Brian Zanchetta Brittany and Michael Slaughter Carl Hensley Carol and Samuel Williams Cecilia Aguillon Celeste Davie Celina Porter Charlie Jicha Chris Byrd Christine Le Christine Worth Cindi Boogaard Cindy and Rick English Clark and Christina Neal Corinne Towers Danielle and Dan Noel-Castle Danielle Crocker Deborah Szekely Delfin Acosta Derek Ray Diana and Edgar Sensale Donald White Edna O’Grady Elizabeth and Marty Stewart Elizabeth Callan Eriko Uyesugi Erin & Christopher Tsukashima Evelyn Armstrong Farzad Ezami Favian and Viviann Hernandez Heidi and Greg Bisconti Irene Daluyen James Gale James Karl Fischer Jason and Elizabeth Berlin Jason and Sophia Parker Jeff and Brianna Sanders Jeffrey Kroon Jennifer and John Lab-Elsner Jennifer Ruby Jessica and William Sim
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Jimi and Rachel Liddell Gayden Joanna Ritchie Joe Ochoa Karen Gregory-Mercado Kathy and Ty Chau Katrina and Eddie Banzon Kimberly and Kimberly Butler Kimberly and Mark Orlando Kristen Jimenez Lara and Joe Ochoa Latisha and Ramiro Cervantes Laura and Guillermo Barragan Lisa Allen Lisa and Adam Allen Marcia Hernandez Marcy Hundschell Margaret Goetschl Mateo Boucher Mika and Kenneth Moore Min-Ru and Yam Gan Mitsuko Robinett Mitzi and David Yamashita Patrice and Kevin Escalle Pauline and Greg Lee Rachel Le Wine Rakesh Popli Renee and Tera Van Put Rex and Jennifer White Robert and Christine Worth Robert and Mitsuko Robinett Robert Baumanns Saad Alhussein Sandra and Arthur Jeter Socorro Vera Sofia and Mateo Boucher Stephanie and David Garrett Steven and Ann Bik Theresa and Donald White Tim and Junko Kajita Ty Chau Virgil Sim Vivienne and Alan Bennett Wayne Towers William and Nancy Hardison Yuki Easter
Thank you to our donors $1,000 & Above Dr. Seuss Foundation Sanji & Miyoko Kanzawa Kiku Gardens Kyocera International
$999 & Under Theresa Ward Anne B. Geraghty Richard and Barbara Vandervoort Edgar and Linda Canada Chieko L. Moriyama Ronald and Holly Hidinger Ralph and June Kubo Ed and Noriko McDaniel Larry Marshall Anna M. Curren Charles and Cindy Castle Carol B. Talley Joseph Cross Agnes Benson Y. Sachiko Kohatsu Karen Stephens Dick and Judy Yamane Mike and Michiko Kawamura Shirley Y. Omori and Efton Woodford David Siriano Kyoto Symposium Organization
Hisae Batchelder
Japanese Coordinating Council
Arthur and Gloria Nishioka Eugene Ford Joan Dayton Grace Y. Honda Christopher &T omoko Kitrick
Japanese Friendship Garden Board and Staff Board of Directors Dr. Hiroko Johnson Mike Kawamura Roy Muraoka Tad Muraoka Arthur Nishioka
Dr. Thelma Press Justin Rennilson Marilyn Travaglini Dennis Otsuji
Executive Committee
Dennis Otsuji, President Dr. Thelma Press, 1st Vice President Mike Kawamura, 2nd Vice President Arthur Nishioka, Treasurer Tad Muraoka, Secretary
Larry Marshall Ed McDaniel Ken Muraoka Miyo Reff
Executive Director Luanne Kanzawa Administration (619) 232-2721 Operations Assistant Marisa Rodriguez (ext. 1503) Events & Marketing Coordinator Christina Zakimi (ext 1500) Program Coordinator Frederic Hewett (ext.1505) Registrar & Exhibit Coordinator Emiko Scudder (ext. 1504) Membership & Fund Development Coordinator Nicole Garrison (ext. 1502) Outreach Coordinator & Grant Writer Olga Cortes (ext. 1501) Senior Gardener Paul Johnson Facilities Manager Javier Palacios
For more information about these events please call the Garden at (619) 232-2721. Garden Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
(Garden will be closed at 5:00pm)
Saturday-Sunday 10am-3:30pm (Garden will be closed at 4:30pm)
Memorial Day to Labor Day Hours Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm
Advisory Board Richard Davis Maurice Kawashima Michael Kinoshita Rod Lanthorne
Contact Us:
(Garden will be closed at 7pm)
Friday 10am-7pm
(Garden will be closed at 8pm)
Saturday-Sunday 10am-3:30pm (Garden will be closed at 4:30pm)
The NIWA is written and produced by staff and volunteers of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For more information about becoming a volunteer or comments for the NIWA, please contact the
Outreach Coordinator at: (619) 232-2721 ext. 1501 or volunteer@niwa.org To join our email list contact: events-mktg@niwa.org
Follow us on the web: Website: www.niwa.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/japanesegarden Facebook: www.facebook.com/SanKeiEn Instagram: instagram@japanesefriendshipgarden Blog: www.japanesefriendshipgarden.blogspot.com
Head Gardener Benancio Carreno
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