Author: OK

It is not often that anyone is here, or reading this. Are you looking for something?

2020 Cherry Blossom Festival: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Cherry Blossom Festival Fort Wayne Indiana is back, and this ever growing festival promises to offer even more entertainment and activities! This Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the largest in the Midwest, and is the largest in the tri-state region of Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. From cosplay to kimono the festival crowd typically enjoys dressing for this occasion!

Date: May 17th, 2020
Official Site: https://www.cherryblossomfw.com/
Admission: FREE
Address: 900 Library Plz, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Activities & Entertainment: Taiko, cosplay contest, tea ceremony, shopping, bonsai display, and more!

The Many Seasons Of The Portland Japanese Garden

Scattered throughout much of America are a handful of Japanese Gardens that will whisk you away into a world if finely cultivated landscapes and botanical displays. Though located outside of Japan, many of these gardens were expertly create by Japanese artists from many different disciplines: bamboo fence making, stone carding, bridge building, bonsai cultivate, and even techniques on displaying rocks.

One of the better known gardens is the Portland Japanese Garden, located in Oregon. This award winning garden has a rich culture, and workshop program line up, with much to offer to members and the public alike. In the early spring of 2019 we were fortunate enough to visit these gardens, and captured a number of photos to share with you. If you happen to be in the Portland, Oregon area we highly recommend making time to visit this world class garden.

Official Site: https://japanesegarden.org/

MABA 2020 Bonsai Show

For nearly 50 years, the Milwaukee Bonsai Society has held an Annual Exhibit. In 2020 the 50th annual exhibit, Mid-America Bonsai Alliance Convention heads back to Milwaukee to help celebrate! This MABA convention will be the third hosted by the Milwaukee Bonsai Society and we expect the best.

For nearly 30 years Mid-America Bonsai Alliance has gathered bonsai artists, bonsai enthusiest, and delegates together to build stronger networks and more vibrant bonsai communities. What started as a small group of about 10 people in 1989 has now grown to more than 19 clubs. Join in this celebration of Bonsai.

Official Website: http://www.milwaukeebonsai.org/maba/

On-line Registration will begin on Sunday, January 5, 2020.
Registration Cost: $195 starting January 5, 2020 | $250 after 3/1/2020

Chicago Japanese Matsuri 2019

If you happen to be in the Chicago area this weekend, you are in luck! Chicago Japanese Matsuri 2019 is taking place at the Newcity Plaza, and admission is free to the public! This family friendly festival offers a rich selection of traditional Japanese culture, shopping, food, and entertainment. So put on your authentic Japanese kimono and head to the festival!

Offical Site: https://www.chicagomatsuri.com/

Address: 1457 N Halsted St, Chicago IL 60642

Admission: FREE


Friday 9.20

3 – 4 pm | Alexander Staples | Anime Music DJ

4:15 – 5 pm | Taiko (Tsukasa Taiko)

5 – 8 pm |Van Paugam | 70s and 80s vinyl (City Pop)

Saturday 9.21

11 AM | Iaido Swordsmanship (Mugai Ryu Iaido)
11:30 AM | Karate (JKA Chicago)
12 PM | Aikido (Aikido Association of America) & Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)
12:30 PM | Cosplay Contest (Anime Chicago)
1 PM | Koto (Tokiko Kimura)
2 PM | Taiko (Tsukasa Taiko) &  Hekiun Oda Calligraphy Performance (Inside)
3 PM | Sumi-e (Patricia Larkin Green) & Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)
4 PM | BATSU! Chicago (Comedy Show)
5 – 8 PM | Euphor Collective (Contemporary Japanese Music DJs)

Sunday 9.22

11 AM | Iaido Swordsmanship (Mugai Ryu Iaido)
12 PM | Shurikenjutsu (Chicago Keikokai Meifu Shinkage Ryu) & Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)
12:30 PM | Aikido (Aikido Association of America)1 PM | Koto (Tokiko Kimura)
2 PM | Kizuki Ramen Eating Contest3 PM | Chado Urasenke Tankokai Chicago Association Tea Ceremony Performance (Inside)3:30 PM | Large Scale Shodo / Calligraphy (Seiran Chiba Sensei)
4 PM | Taiko (Tsukasa Taiko)

Artist’s Booths and Vendors: ACEN | AnimeChicago | Ariyama Studio | Chicago Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society | Crizltron (Art) | Daisho Con | Fred Follansbee (Ceramics) | GEN-J Grassroots Exchange Network | Hidden Treasures | IACE Travel | Intercultural Montessori Language School | Itasha Car Display | Japan America Society of Chicago | Japanese American Service Committee | Japanese Arts Foundation | Japanese Culture Center | Japan Information Center, Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago | JETAA Chicago |Kandy | Kinokuniya | Ohio Kimono | K-Mama Sauce | KiKi’s T House | Kristyn Ivey (Certified Marie Kondo Consultant) | Mori wa Umi no Koibito | Osaka Sister City Committee | PAWS Chicago | Reiko Takahashi (supported by the Illinois Prairie Chapter of Ikenobo Ikebana) | Seiran Chiba Sensei (Shodo) | Shiseido | Teagschwendner | Tensuke Market | TOTO | Wrightwood 659 | Yuko Inoue Darcy (Ohara School of Ikebana)

Upcoming @ Japan House University Of Illinois

Japan House at the University of Illinois offers a wonderful and selection of classes and special interest events throughout the year. Many of these classes are worth highlighting and offer budget friendly options for artists.

Japan House Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JapanHouseUofI/

December 11 – Japanese Tea Ceremony (space limited RSP required)
November 16 – A Look at Japan House from the Inside (free public tour)
November 3 – Zen Studies with Professor Shozo Sato: Sumi-e (Black Ink Painting)
October 22 – Wagashi Workshop with Kimiko Gunji
September 24 – Wagashi Workshop with Kimiko Gunji
September 21 – A Look at Japan House from the Inside (free public tour)
September 18 – Japanese Tea Ceremony (space limited RSP required)