The Japanese Garden at the Huntington

One of the reasons I like to go to Japanese Garden At The Huntington is the variety of the experience. There is a strolling garden; a Bonsai Court; The tea house; A Zen Garden; and more. 

Tanabata Fesitval Announcement 2014

CAMP MUSUBI

2014 REGISTRATION OPEN SOON!

Plans are in the making for Camp Musubi 2014 and our registration will be opening in February 2014. Save the dates! July 14-18, 2014 and note our NEW LOCATION: Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC). We're still in Little Tokyo, but now in the heart of it!

THE CAMP MUSUBI PROGRAM

Camp Musubi is a weeklong day camp that uses fun activities to teach middle-school-aged youth about Japanese American heritage. The goal of the camp is to spark interest in the Japanese American culture and community through hands-on experiences and interaction. Participants will learn from a variety of cultural artists and community leaders and do group activities with a college-aged leader.

BASIC PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: July 14 - July 18, 2014

• Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
• *Extended care is available to 5:30pm

• Location: (NEW!)
• Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC)
• 244 S. San Pedro Street
• Los Angeles, CA 90012

Questions? campmusubi@gmail.com

WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM?

The activities will include a combination of cultural experiences, games, and field trips. Campers are placed in small groups and paired with a college-aged "counselor." Cultural workshops may include taiko drumming, ikebana (floral arrangement), martial arts, creative writing, papermaking, cooking, calligraphy, etc. Guest speakers will include cultural artists, Japanese American professionals as well as people from community groups. Past participants have gone on a scavenger hunt throughout Little Tokyo and visited various sites such as the Japanese American National Museum, Manzanar National Historical Park, Terminal Island and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at CSULB. A fun trip and a picnic are also part of the program.

Corky Lee at UCLA 2-27-2014

Norton Simon Museum - Exhibitions

Norton Simon Museum - Exhibitions

Future Exhibition

Rancho Palos Verdes - Cherry Blossom Festival

Family Picnic Day - Cherry Blossom Festival

When: 

Sat, 3/1 9:00am to 5:00pm

Location: 

gardengrounds

Facebook Event: Here
March 1 and 2
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sakura Meadow, Amphitheater Lawn, Upper or Lower Meadow
Included with paid Garden admission
Feel free to bring some food, blanket, and/or chairs and have your picnic under the Cherry Blossoms on the Sakura Meadow and Amphitheater Lawn, or on the Upper and Lower Meadows. A self-guided tour and information sheet will be available. Please visit the Gift Shop for more information. Tram tours will be available on Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm (additional fee of $5).

Event Category: 

Special Events

Event Tags: 

Family and Kids

Special Interest

Address 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard Palos Verdes Peninsula, California 90274 Phone: (310) 544-1948

Hours The Garden is open to the public 364 days a year (closed Christmas Day). GARDEN HOURS: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last ticket sale at 4:30 PM) FOUNDATION HOURS: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday-Sunday: Closed GIFT SHOP HOURS: Monday-Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Admission Foundation Members: FREE Adults: $9 Seniors - 62 and over: $6 Students (with ID): $6 Children (5 - 12): $4 4 and under: FREE Third Tuesday of each month: FREE

Koi Club of San Diego 2th Annual Koi Show

Sumo in Southern California

SUMO CLASSES

In sumo classes, you can expect to learn the fundamentals of sumo, including:

• stretching
• warm-up exercises
• rules
• techniques
• rituals
• actual matches

CLASS SCHEDULE

Sumo Practices with World Sumo Champion Byamba. Anyone can participate (all levels welcome). The class fee is $10 per session. Please inquire with further questions. Contact >>

Location: 
Couprie Martial Arts
14559 Erwin St
Van Nuys, California 91411

Sumo practice :
Sunday, March 9, 2014
1:00 pm

Sunday, March 16, 2014
1:00 pm

http://www.usasumo.com/what_classes.html

Support GVCJI Japanese School

Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute (GVJCI)

Support our Japanese Language School and get a healthy meal while you are at it! Veggie Grill will give 50% of food and beverage sales to our Japanese Language School. Just present a copy of the flyer that you can download by clicking the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4HHEXCO1b1pd3ZheW4xcWZsVnM/edit?usp=sharing

Cherry Blossom Festival in San Deigo

DATE CHANGED TO: MARCH 8TH 2014!

East San Gabriel JC Fund Raiser 2-24-2014

http://esgvjcc.org/

North Valley Aikikai (San Fernando Valley)

North Valley Aikikai

Address: 9029 Reseda Blvd., Suite 100, Northridge, CA 91324 (by CSUN)

Telephone: 818 652.5025

eMail: info@northvalleyaikikai.org

Blog: http://www.northvalleyaikikai.blogspot.com

YouTube Channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/northvalleyaikikai?feature=mhee

Reviews: Visit and review us on

Google+: http://plus.google.com/u/0/b/116821357030042215173/1168213570300422151

 

Class Fees

Aikido 

Annual registration fee  $30

Adult monthly membership   $105

Student monthly membership   $85

Child monthly membership   $60

Ask us about discounts for additional family members and family rates

Iaido 

Adult monthly membership  $80

Kyudo 

Annual association fee  $30

Single class $5

Yoga

Single class  $20

5 Class pass  $80 ($16 a class)

10 Class pass  $130 ($13 a class)

20 Class pass $230 ($11.50 a class)

Monthly unlimited $90

All inclusive unlimited membership

Monthly adults membership  $165

(good for all classes)

Class Schedule | Winter 2013-14

Monday

8:30-10 am: Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults

4:30-5:30 pm: Aikido for kids ages 5-7

5:30-6:30 pm: Aikido for kids ages  ages 8-12

6:45-7:45 pm: Aikido Mixed

8-9:15 pm: Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults

Tuesday

8:30-10 am Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults

5-6 pm: Iaido

6-7:30 pm: Beginners Aikido and basic weapons

8-9:15 pm: Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults

Wednesday

8:30-10 am Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults

6-7:30 pm: Aikido Mixed and intermediate weapons

8-9:15 pm: Vinyasa Flow Yoga Adults - BASICS [open to all]

Thursday

8:30-10 am: Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults 

5-6 pm: Aikido for Kids - all ages

6-7 pm: Aikido Mixed

7-9 pm: Kyudo

Friday

6-7 pm: Beginners Aikido

Saturday10-11:30 am: YOGA IN SPANISH

1:30-3 pm: Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults INTERMEDIATE [open to practitioners with 3 months of experience or more]

Sunday

8:45-9:45 am: Beginners Aikido

10:30 am-12 noon: Vinyasa Flow Yoga adults

 

Akabeko Project sign up by Feb. 25th

Last few days to sign up for the Akabeko Project.
My family and I are going.

"Join us on Sunday, March 9 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the PJCI for the Akabeko Project, an art activity to benefit children with disabilities in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

Participants will paint and decorate an akabeko (red cow) that you can take home as a remembrance of your contribution. Supplies will be provided to paint, decoupage and more. Each akabeko is handmade in Japan by a family workshop located in Fukushima Prefecture. Bring your creativity and imagination!

RSVPs are required." (I think the RSVP must be post marked by Feb. 25th)

Visit our website at http://akabekoproject.wix.com/akabekoproject

Today in Little Tokyo

Of Course, I've seen the construction going on in Little Tokyo during each of our trips. But the equipment was working today on a Saturday. The extent of this construction really hit home this time. Look at all those apartments going up.

Though this will certainly add to the vitality of the area, I wonder who's gonna live here? Are there really this many people who want to live downtown? Soon, perhaps we'll be like Manhattan? There's good and no so good to be had in most these situations, I suppose. Let's try to keep this one focused on the good that can come of it, eh.

Also, just on the other side of these apartments, is the future proposed site of The Los Angeles Budokan. Now that, for me, will be really something.

Hinamatsuri at the JACCC - Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

About JACCC Mission From the Director History Facilities Overview Board Departments & Staff Tenant Directory Contact Us Programs Upcoming Events Refund & Exchange Policies Plan an Event Conference & Meeting Rooms Rental Theatre Rental Plaza Rental Weddings & Special Events Gallery Contact Media Room Gallery Press Releases Season Brochures Community Links Get Involved! Become a Member Membership Benefits Member Discount Program Employment Volunteer Opportunities Donate Now! Visit Us Hours, Map & Directions Vicinity Landmarks

On the Veranda: Hinamatsuri LECTURES & WORKSHOPS On the Veranda: Hinamatsuri Saturday, March 1, 2012, 1pm - 4pm JACCC's On the Veranda series returns this Spring with Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day), a special day of celebration for girls and families. This year"s Hinamatsuri festival features hands on crafts, Japanese tea and hinaningyo (traditional Girl's Day doll) display. Hinamatsuri roots are placed back to an ancient custom called hina-nagashi, or “doll floating” where people would float dolls down the river to carry away the bad spirits. Today, families with daughters display their heirloom dolls called hina-ningyo, representing the Emperor, Empress, and their attendants dressed in beautiful ancient Heian Period (794-1185) court costumes. On the day of Hinamatsuri, they celebrate by having a party of delicious Japanese treats and drink, and “offering” it to the dolls. This one-day workshop focuses on the traditions and symbols surrounding Hinamatsuri or Japanese Girl's Day.  Children can learn about this special Girl's day celebration through hands-on craft activities. This year, we are pleased to announce that the Ogasawara-Ryu Tea School will lead a special tea ceremony demonstration. The Veranda is the space between man and nature, between structure and garden, between here and there. It is the space that lingers in-between, the tradition that pulls us into both worlds. The Veranda is a Japanese cultural phenomenon that understands this space between man and nature which heightens the experience of true viewing of things that surround us. 2014 Spring Season of the On The Veranda program series continues its exploration of Japanese Culture with the support from the JBA (Japan Business Association of Southern California), the Southern California Gas Company, the Mutural Trading Co., and the Miyako Oriental Foods Inc.. The JACCC will continue to present some of the most informative and insightful workshops by trained masters. As space is limited reservations required. JACCC South Gallery $20 General Admission JACCC Members $10 Reservations required, Space is limited.

Bonsai at the Huntington

Feb. 22-Feb. 23, 2014

Saturday–Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Internationally recognized bonsai masters will share their passion for the art form in this annual event that includes exhibits, demonstrations, prize drawings, a “bonsai bazaar,” and a live auction at 3 p.m. each day.  Bonsai workshops for adults and children will be offered on Saturday with advanced registration. Proceeds from the event support the Golden State Bonsai Collection at The Huntington. General admission. Brody Botanical Center

http://huntington.org/WebAssets/Templates/calendardetail.aspx?id=15154&terms=bonsai

Japanese Beauty at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge

Japanese Garden

Discover the tranquility of a Japanese-style garden that blends design elements of classic tea, strolling and zen gardens.

Cross an arched bridge and stroll on shaded paths along a koi-filled stream to the Full Moon Tea House, designed by Whitney Smith and built in 1966. The blue tile roofing, imported from Japan, is especially striking in the spring when nearby pink cherry and plum trees are in bloom. The tea house is open limited hours during the summer as the Camellia Lounge and for special occasions during the year.

Nearby, the minka (traditional farmhouse) was designed and donated by Robert H. Kawashima in 1969. The plant collection features Japanese maples, azaleas, bamboo, and other Asian plants.

http://www.descansogardens.org/explore/gardens/

1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge 91011

Trees bloom early at the Huntington Library and Gardens Feb. 2014.

Nanka Nikkei at the Huntington Library and Gardens Feb. 2014.

Photo by Rick Beal

Trees in Bloom.

A little early but still beautiful.

Aikido for a U.S. Diplomat

I read in the Los Angeles Times today an article by Paul Richter. A U.S. diplomat, Daniel Russell, uses the principles he learned in aikido in his relationships with world leaders.

Rising Stars miniature golf Tournament 2014

Japanese Language School in SoCal

http://www.kyodosystem.org/

The Kyodo System runs a set of Japanese Language Schools. All campuses have classes for kids, and some have classes for adults too.

My daughter went to Rafu Chuo Gakuen from 3 years old to 18 years old almost every Saturday. From Preschool through High School.


http://pjci.org/
The PJCI, where we have our kyudo classes on Saturday Night also hosts the Pasadena Gakuen. Another Kyodo System School.
http://www.kyodosystem.org/school-locations/pasadena-gakuen/


www.nankakyudokai.org

School Locations

For any other questions, contact Kyodo System Administrative Office during weekdays and Saturday at at (213) 383-4706.

	VALLEY GAKUEN (Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High School) 8850 Lankershim Blvd.,Sun Valley, CA 91352 Phone: (818) 504-0959 (Saturday)
	PASADENA GAKUEN (Elementary/ Jr. High School) 595 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103 Phone: (626) 405-2321 (Saturday)
	RAFU CHUO GAKUEN (Preschool, Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High School) 202 N. Saratoga Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 Phone: (323) 268-4955 (Saturday)
	Kyodo System Headquarters (Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High, Cultural Classes) 1218 Menlo Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006 Phone: (213) 383-4706
	DAIICHI GAKUEN IRVINE (Elementary, Jr. & Sr. High School) 23802 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 (St. Goerge’s Church) Phone: (213) 383-4706

Full moon 2-16-2014

A very bright full moon greeted me this morning as I opened the front door.

Sushi in Padadena

Had Sushi at 0-2 Sushi in Pasadena.
Eastside of Old Town Pasadena across the street from the mall.
$3.00 weekend parking behind the restaurant. Cash Only though for Parking

No Combos or specials on weekends ):
The ability to roll, and the rice itself, were just ok;
But the quality of the fish and ingredients were superb.
Price was mid to high range, but the quality of the ingredients makes it worthwhile.
I'll go back.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/o2-sushi-pasadena?start=40

Japanese Garden at the Huntington

Though not exactly the most authentic Japanese Garden, the one at the Huntington Library/Garden remains one of my favorites.

http://www.huntington.org/

Zazen - Seated Meditation in Mount Washington California

Zazen (seated meditation) and Dokkyo (Chanting) at Kanzeonji 961 Terrace 49, Mount Washington, CA 90042. Saturdays 6:30am to 8:30am

www.zenyoga.org

Flower Arrangement in Pasadena

PJCI - Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute.


www.pjci.org

The PJCI - Pasadena Japanese Cutural Institute is where I spend my Saturday nights doing Kyudo - Japanese Zen Achery.

In addition to Kyudo, The PJCI has a whole variety of traditional Japanese arts. They even have Japanese Language Classes for kids and adults.