Higashi Hongwanji Los Angeles Obon 7-25-2015

JANM - Japanese American National Museum July 14, 2015

Saturday July 11th 2015 in the Nanka Nikkei Community

It was great to fill another Saturday in the Nanka Nikkei Community.

First stop, as usual for me, was the home of Ryugen Watanabe Osho of Kanzeonji for meditation and chanting.

Then quickly down  to Angels Gate for Kyudo and Japanese Culture class with Hirokazu Kosaka Sensei.

http://americanzenarchery.blogspot.com/2010/05/los-angeles-kyudo-kai_24.html

His lecture today on tea bowls, how they were made, and the interelation between seasons and other aspects of Japanese Culture were great.

Next on the day's visits was JANM (Japanese American National Museum). My daughter Amy is an intern there for the summer, and gave me a great heads up about the opening of a new exhibit: "Sugar/Island". I attended a wonderful panel discussion with the curator of the exhibit as the moderator with the other two artists involved.

There was a host of great music and childrens crafts going on as well. It was a well planned and enjoyable opening day.

As always, I participated at the PJCI with the Nanka Kyudo Kai practice as well to end the day.

On or near Apirl 8th Buddhist Temples often celebrate the birth of Siddartha who became Shakyamuni Butsu.

Today just such a celebration took place at the Pasadena Buddhist Church, and I took this opportunity to once again visit this wonderful local temple.

Descanso Gardens Slide Show 3-21-2015

More from June Kuramoto of Hiroshima fame and Keyboardist Kimo at Descanso Gardens

June Kuramoto of Hiroshima plays at Descanso Gardens 3-21-2015.

Decanso Gardens 3-21-2015

 Our trip this weekend was to the Descanso Gardens. Descanso Gardents Website Link

 Though we went to view the Cherry Blossoms in Bloom, we were also treated to a wonderful concert by June Kiromoto of Hiroshima fame on the Koto, and Kimo on the keyboard. June Kuramoto on Hiroshima Music Website

 There were Cherry Blossom Trees in bloom scattered among the grounds. But as to be expected, they were most prevalent in the Japanese Garden.

As we left the Japanese Garden we were pleased to discover the Lilac Garden.

 Descanso is famous for the Camelias, and some were still in bloom this late in the season.

    The Boddy House had undergone a wonderful transformation since our last visit.

As spring begins there were a staggering number of beautiful blossoms to keep us in awe.

There is a fantastic grove of California Oaks. Some over 400 years old.

Besides the California Oaks, Descanso continues to expand their native plant section of the grounds.

 Though they purchased and maintained their own water rights and source, they also continue to increase their awareness of reduce and reuse their water, always vigilant to increase their water wise practices.

 The Rose Garden is always one of our favorite walks at Descanso.

As common at Decanso, each garden is not necessarily exclusive to one particular plant, but a wide variety is always visible to enjoy.