(Photo by David Rosen / SlickPix Photography)
The Seattle Japanese Garden is hosting two nights of Moon Viewing again! On both nights, the garden is magically lit up with lanterns and luminaries welcoming the arrival of the full moon in Japanese tradition.
お月見 (otsukimi), moon viewing, dates back to 8th century Japan, when on the 8th month of the old Japanese calendar, aristocrats celebrated the beauty of the autumnal full moon with poetry and music.
Featured Artists:
SATURDAY
Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor and dancers
Michael Dylan Welch of Haiku Northwest
While we will not be selling bento dinners, we will have snacks and non-alcoholic drinks for purchase during the event this year. There will be no tea ceremonies to ensure the health and safety of the guests, volunteers and staff.
Moon Viewing is a primarily outdoor event. Guests will be required to wear masks while checking in to the event, in the restrooms, and in the Tateuchi Community Room. Social distancing is recommended in the garden. Attendance numbers have also been limited for the safety of guests, volunteers, and staff.
Featured exhibit Northwest Nikkei by Michelle Kumara will be on display in the Tateuchi Community Room during the event.
About Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor:
Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor is a multiracial Asian American dance artist and activist. She is a grant recipient from Seattle's Office of Arts & Culture, the Washington State Arts Commission, Humanities Washington, and the Japanese American Citizens League. She gains inspiration from her community, and the diverse group of Asian American storytellers and dancers in her projects. gabriellekazuko.com
Tsukiko ("Moon Child")
A meditation on grief, trauma, and healing: "Tsukiko" expands on Gabrielle's previous contemporary dances “Farewell Shikata ga nai" and "To the API Women Who Made Us, With Love." The result is a performance inspired by the brilliance of Asian American womanhood, the beauty of ancestral wisdom, and the enduring ties of community.
About Koto no WA:
Koto no WA is a koto ensemble evolved from a koto class at Nikkei Manor more than 15 years ago.
After several years, we started playing traditional and contemporary songs for various local events, such as International Culture Festival at Meany Hall, culture nights at public and private schools, Japanese consulate parties, From Hiroshima to Hope, Aki Matsuri (Japanese Fall Festival), mini concerts at public libraries, and seasonal events at Seattle Japanese Garden.
About Leanna Keith:
A freelance flutist, artist, improviser, and composer in the Seattle area, Leanna Keith (she/they) delights in creating sound experiences that make audiences laugh, cry, and say: “I didn’t know the flute could do that!” Her performance artworks have focused on cultural connection and the breaking of audience/performer boundaries. She is dedicated to playing music by composers who are still living, and advocates for the usage of music as social activism. Her latest album which she composed, performed, recorded and mixed, TAROT Album, released in 2021. Leanna is the professor of flute at Cornish College of the Arts.