Photo from 2021 Moon Viewing
Experience the magic of the Seattle Japanese Garden's Moon Viewing event, where two enchanting nights await you. As the garden comes alive with the soft glow of lanterns and luminaries, immerse yourself in a celebration that pays homage to the ancient Japanese tradition of お月見 (otsukimi). Step into a realm of timeless beauty as you wander through meticulously manicured landscapes, where nature and artistry intertwine in elegant harmony.
Performance
Underneath the moonlit sky, the moon viewing platform becomes a stage for captivating performances. Each night, three talented artists will grace the moon viewing platform, mesmerizing you with their music and dance.
Haiku Contest
Throughout the evening, the air will be alive with poetic inspiration as the Haiku Contest unfolds. Allow your creativity to flourish as you craft a haiku. Share your heartfelt verses and join in the timeless tradition of poetic contemplation, adding your voice to the chorus of those who have found solace and enlightenment under the moon's watchful gaze. Michael Dylan Welch from Haiku Northwest.
Tickets with Tea Ceremony and Paper-Boat Wish
As this ticket with special features, you will be treated to the exclusive wonders that await within the Shoseian tea house. Witness the artistry and precision of a traditional tea ceremony, as skilled practitioners guide you through a sensory experience that embraces elegance and serenity. Furthermore, indulge in the magical tradition of launching a paper-boat adorned with a luminary onto the tranquil waters of the pond, a symbolic gesture that carries your wishes into the starlit night.
Experience the ethereal beauty, the captivating performances, the serene tea ceremony, and the poetic indulgence that await at the Seattle Japanese Garden's Moon Viewing event. Allow yourself to be swept away by the enchantment of this remarkable celebration, where the timeless allure of the moon and the artistry of Japanese culture intertwine to create an experience beyond compare.
Featured:
FRIDAY
Michael Dylan Welch of Haiku Northwest
Tea Ceremony and Paper-Boat Launching with a special ticket by Seattle Tankokai Association
About Mako & Munjuru Music:
Mako, a talented performer of traditional Okinawan music, is renowned in the Northwest area, particularly in Seattle. As a solo artist, she captivates audiences with her heartfelt melodies and mesmerizing performances. Additionally, Mako leads a group known as Munjuru, where she skillfully combines music, dance, and storytelling from Okinawa. Her dedication to the Seattle-based Okinawan music community is evident as she actively participates in various events, both intimate gatherings and grand occasions, where she collaborates with the full ensemble. Furthermore, Mako proudly contributes to the preservation and promotion of Okinawan music and art as a valued member of Ukwanshin Kabudan, a musical troupe based in Honolulu. Through her involvement, Mako aims to ensure the enduring legacy of Okinawan traditions for future generations.
About Kodo Araki VI:
For six generations, the Araki family has carried the Kodō name and its perspective on the tradition of Kinko-Ryū shakuhachi. Named for his great-great grandfather, Hanzaburō, or Hanz as he’s commonly known, made his professional debut in 1988 in Shimonoseki, Japan where he was given the name Baikyoku by his father, Kodō Araki V. He attained the name Kodō at his father’s retirement ceremony in Tokyo in 2009.
Hanz performed and taught in Japan until 1992 when he returned to the United States and shifted his focus almost entirely to performing. Notable appearances include The Newport Folk Festival, The Vancouver Folk Festival, Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, The Gates Estate, and was a featured soloist for The Seattle Symphony “Celebrate Asia” concert in 2013. He was also invited to perform and speak at the Interdependence Day Celebration in Mexico City and The Future of Music Coalition conference in Rio de Janeiro. He was also the recipient of a Maine Traditional Arts Fellowship in 2021.
In addition to his career in traditional Japanese music Hanz is a Juno Award-winning Irish flute and whistle-player and singer. His most recent album of Irish music was recorded in his mother’s ancestral village of Dingle, Co. Kerry with Lúnasa founding member Donogh Hennessy producing.
About Japanese Koto Club:
Mirei Zaborac moved from Japan to U.S. in 1989. Living in Kent, Washington.
She started to take koto lessons since 5 years old and learned under Yumiko Kawakami in Tokyo, Shukin Noda in Kyoto and Kuniko Takamura in Seattle.
She plays traditional koto music, modern songs and church songs.
She plays at local event, company events, schools, nursing homes, wedding receptions, memorial services, private parties and so on to share her passion.
Her favorite quote is “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” - Helen Keller.