2008 Calendar
Check "Special Events" or "Cultural Experiences" section of the website for a description of the art form and/or artifact.
MAY EXHIBIT - HAGOITA (Ornamental hanetsuki paddles) PAVILION EXHIBIT – Hagoita are rectangular wooden paddles, originating in Japan, ostensibly used to play hanetsuki, but often instead serving a more ornamental purpose. Courtesy of Rie Nagai, Kaz Sugimoto and Reyko Nishiyama.
MAY EXHIBIT - DOLL PHOTO DISPLAY - VISITOR CENTRE Dolls courtesy of Lil Oishi. Photos courtesy of Tom Buchanan.
Saturday - May 17
9 - 2 pm Chopstick and Origami Lessons
Sunday - May 18
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Tuesday - May 20, 2008
6 - 8 pm Tom Buchanan Spring Photography Opportunity. Join Tom Buchanan for this wonderful spring photo opportunity with perfect light in our beautiful Garden. Bring your camera and tripod, if you have one. Cost $7.00
Saturday May 24
2 - 4pm Bonseki Tray Art demonstration by Toshiko Tanaka. Bonseki is the ancient Japanese art of creating miniature landscapes on black laquer trays using white sand, pebbles and small rocks.
Sunday - May 25
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Sheila McHugh.
Saturday May 31
2 - 3:30 pm Hanging Baskets/Planter/Container Gardening Demonstration with Erich Dyck (Country Blooms)
JUNE PAVILION EXHIBIT - JAPANESE BRIDAL GOWN (KIMONO) and accessories courtesy of Aya Hironaka
JUNE VISITOR CENTRE EXHIBIT Kazumi Marthiensen ETCHINGS
Sunday - June 1
2 - 3pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Sheila McHugh
Saturday - June 7
9 - 2 pm Chopstick and Origami Lessons
Sunday - June 8
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai.
Friday - June 13
10:30 - 11:30 Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
10:30 am to noon ongoing Bonseki Tray Art demonstration by Toshiko Tanaka. Bonseki is the ancient Japanese art of creating miniature landscapes on black laquer trays using white sand, pebbles and small rocks
1:30 - 2:30 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Denise Takao.
1:30 pm Calligraphy demonstration by Reverend Y Izumi. The art of elegant handwriting is demonstrated.
Saturday - June 14
2- 3 pm Kumihimo (braid making) Demonstration by Brigitte Byers.
Sunday - June 15 Father's Day Geta for Dad
Geta are a form of traditional Japanese footwear that resembles both clogs and flip-flops. They are a kind of sandal with an elevated wooden base held onto the foot with a fabric thong to keep the foot well above the ground. They can be worn with Western clothing during the summer months. Dad gets to take home his DIY (all supplies included in the price of admission) geta project!
2 - 3pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Sheila McHugh.
Monday to Friday - June 16 - 20
9 - 2 pm Observe Masters at Work Pruning Mugo and Scots Pine (Masa Mizuno & Al White) Refer SPECIAL EVENTS section of website for more information.
Saturday - June 21 Moonlight Viewing
2 - 4 pm Bonsai Club Demonstration.
8 - 9 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai.
8 - 9 pm Sanshin (Okinawan banjo) performance by Bob Marthiensen
7:00 Iaido (martial art) Demonstration by Dave Rathnow.
Moonlight Viewing (Flute performance throughout evening at the discretion of the musician, Don Fraser)
Sunday - June 22
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday - June 28
1 - 2:15 pm Lethbridge Karaoke Club
2 - 2:30 pm Ikebana (flower arranging) demonstration by Reiko Takeyasu.
2 - 3:30 pm Lino Block and/or wood block printing demonstration by Kazumi Marthiensen
Sunday - June 29
2 - 3:00 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Tuesday - July 1 - Canada Day - Fireworks over Henderson Lake
7:00 O Canada Katie Nakagawa
7:00 Iaido (martial art) Demonstration by Dave Rathnow.
Watch Fireworks Display over Henderson Lake courtesy of the City of Lethbridge.
Flute performance throughout evening at the discretion of the musician, Don Fraser.
Saturday July 5 Artists at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Are you inspired by tranquility, peace, mediation, relaxation, and beauty? Volunteer artisans are invited to participate in “Artists at Nikka Yuko” day on July 5. If you are a photographer, painter, writer, poet or musician inspired by nature and want to contribute to the cultural growth of Lethbridge please contact Yvonne Sugimoto at marketing@NikkaYuko.com or Ph: 328.3511.
Sunday - July 6
Tanabata, The Star Festival Visitors are invited to take part in the tradition of writing wishes on ribbons then hanging them on a tree with the hope they will come true.
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Saturday to Saturday July 12 -19 Miles Apart, Minds Together
Eight day celebration of Japan Canada Diplomatic Relations.
Saturday July 12
2 pm O Canada Katie Nakagawa
2 pm Kimigayo (Japan National Anthem) Yukio Uchimura
2 - 4 pm Ikebana Demonstration by Michie Takaguchi
2 - 4 pm Bonsai Club Demonstration
2 - 4 pm Koto (zither) performance by Marika Okuma
Sunday - July 13
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Monday to Friday - July 14 - 18
9 - 2 pm Observe Masters at Work Pruning Maple Trees (Masa Mizuno & Al White) Refer SPECIAL EVENTS section of website for more information.
Saturday - July 19 Moonlight Viewing
2 - 4 pm Paper Doll Making Demonstration & Lessons by Dimples Inaba, Fumi Sekiya & Atsumi Matushita
8 - 9 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony by Sheila McHugh
Moonlight Viewing (Flute performance throughout evening at the discretion of the musician, Don Fraser)
Sunday - July 20
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday - July 26 Celebration of Redress
Shortly after Japan's entry into WWII, Japanese Canadians were removed from the West Coast. "Military Necessity" was used as a justification for their mass removal and incarceration. An Official Apology from the Federal Government was made in September 1988 and financial compensation ($21,000) was made to all Japanese Canadians who suffered loss of rights and property, including those born up to 03/31/49. The achievement of redress is a prime example of a small minority's struggle to overcome racism and to reaffirm the rights of all individuals in a democracy.
Sunday - July 27
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Sunday - August 3
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Wednesday - August 6 Hiroshima Memorial Day
Saturday August 9
2-2:30 pm Sumi-e (brush-ink painting) Demonstration by Reiko Takeyasu.
Sunday - August 10
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Saturday - August 16
2 - 3 pm Fabric Origami demonstration by the Textile Surface Design Guild with lessons by Lynn Stevens.
Sunday - August 17
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony by Joyce Oishi
Saturday - August 23
1:30 - 4pm "Tree Talk" with Karen Barby (GreenHaven)
Sunday - August 24
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Sunday - August 31
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday - September 6
2:00 Iaido (martial art) Demonstration by Dave Rathnow.
Sunday - September 7
Kiku no Sekku, The Chrysanthemum Festival. Mom bring back the Mum you received at the Garden on Mothers Day - it may be the grand prize winner!
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Saturday - September 13
2 - 3 pm Kumihimo (braid making) Demonstration by Brigitte Byers.
Sunday - September 14
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Tuesday - Sunday September 16 - 21 Nikka Yuko welcomes Communities in Bloom
Sunday - September 21
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Saturday - September 27
Tom Buchanan Fall Photography Workshop - 9-4 pm
Lunch and refreshments included. $100.
Call (403.328.3511) for information or to register.
Sunday - September 28
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Sunday - October 5
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony
Saturday - October 11
2:00 Iaido (martial art) Demonstration by Dave Rathnow.
Sunday - October 12
2 - 3 pm Japanese Tea Ceremony performed by Rie Nagai
Monday - October 13
Nikka Yuko Gardens Closes for the Season
