Happy New Year of the Ram

Japanese dorei (clay bells) in the shape of the Twelve Zodiac Animals

Pan-Asian Pacific Islander Perspectives Festival, March 25-30, 2013

The Pan-Asian Pacific Islander Perspectives week-long festival, sponsored by the HSU Asian Pacific Islander American Student Alliance (A.P.A.S.A.) will gather together, on one common calendar, different events around pan-Asian Pacific Islander (API) ethnicity, and share pan-API resources in Humboldt.

Most events are free and open to the public.

The events throughout the week highlight some different API people in Humboldt County, their perspectives and experiences. It will bring us together to enjoy different cultures, draw attention to the local API community (which can be invisible to many), and to have opportunities for dialogue around what it means to be "Asian Pacific Islander."

Come participate and enjoy music and dance performances, workshops, lectures, art showings, and dance classes, including:

• Tuesday, March 26, 5 pm, HSU Science B 133: Key Note by Betty Chinn: "Turning Hatred Into Hope, Perspectives of a Survivor of the Cultural Revolution"
• Thursday, March 28, 7:30 pm, HSU Jolly Giant Commons: Non-Stop Bhangra and Dohlrhythms Dance Company, live from SF!

For a full calendar of events, visit the online Zine at http://agoile.wix.com/pan-api. On the online Zine, you will also enjoy articles, art, and sharing of reflections highlighting the API community in Humboldt, as well as API resources.

Also visit the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AsianPacificAmericanStudentAlliance.

Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations, should contact the MultiCultural Center 707-826-3364 or mcc@humboldt.edu as soon as possible.
Sponsored by HSU Diversity, Associated Students, Dept of Theatre, Film & Dance, MultiCultural Center, Wells Fargo Bank, and All Under Heaven

Green Haiku

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture is seeking up to four (4) poets to create Haikus or short poetry to broaden public thinking about reuse, recycling and a greener environment. The poems will be featured as part of the annually-changing art panels at Seventh Avenue and West Glenrosa Street and on an art billboard devoted to images about recycling along Grand Avenue. The “Green” Haiku will be displayed at these and possibly other sites for at least one year.

Deadline:  Friday, December 7, 2012, 4:00 PM Arizona time

To download the full call go to http://www.phoenix.gov/arts/businessoac/index.html. (You will be asked to fill out a short Web form.  This is so we can contact you should any changes be made to the RFQ. Once completed, a PDF document will open).

For questions please contact Jeanine Garcia, Public Art Project Assistant at 602-534-5084, email jeanine.garcia@phoenix.gov.
 
For questions concerning the procurement process please contact Scott Steventon at 602-534-8334, email scott.steventon@phoenix.gov.

Float a Lantern for Peace

Hiroshima lantern ceremony, 2010flickr.com/sueannsimon

Sunday's Cha-no-yu demonstration was attended by a couple involved in the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony in Arcata, Calif. Some details from the North Coast Journal:

The community is invited to the annual Lantern Floating Ceremony at Klopp Lake at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sactuary on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m. As in past years, lantern making materials and help will be available on the northwest side of the Arcata Plaza during the Farmers’ Market on the morning before the ceremony.

Lantern floating ceremonies have been traditional in Japan for many centuries. An event is held annually in Hiroshima to honor those who suffered and died in the bombing, but long before that, the lanterns carried messages of loving remembrance of friends and family who have passed away. Arcata’s ceremony has expanded to include this older meaning, as well as being a time for our community to rededicate itself to peace.

Everyone is invited to gather at the lake for a program including music and poetry, followed at dusk by the launching of the lanterns.

This year's event will also honor Kyoko Clark for her participation in the first Arcata Lantern Ceremony, 30 years ago. For information, call (707) 826-7233. Click here for map.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sometimes You Go to the Temple …

Sometimes the temple comes to you.

We experienced a sort of reverse pilgrimage when the Maitreya Project's Relics Tour visited Humboldt County last weekend. An ecumenical opening ceremony enjoined speakers from various traditions to share the spirit of loving kindness that is promoted by Maitreya Buddhism, and view relics of 40 masters from several Buddhist traditions.

The Maitreya Project seeks to erect a statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of Loving Kindness who is yet to come, on the site of Gautama Buddha's death. These relics will be installed in the statue when it is complete.

Altar to Matireya Buddha

Tour organizers reverently and meticulously
arrange the relics in cases.

Arcata mayor Michael Winkler welcomes the Relics Tour
and attendees after the relics were arranged. Representatives
from a variety traditions including Hindu, Sufi, Christian, Jewish,
Native American and Buddhist offered thoughts, prayers,
songs and a Balinese dance.

A small statue representing the just-born Buddha
is washed before viewing the relics

Holy water in the bowl beneath the statue is ladled over the statue
in a ritual bath commemorating the birth of the Buddha.
Buddha's birthday, Bushoe, is traditionally celebrated in April.

Maitreya Buddha, altar detail

Lights were dimmed as the general audience viewed the relics

Altar detail

A case containing some of the relics

Read more about the Maitreya Project and the relics tour at http://www.maitreyaproject.org.

New Gamelan Classes

Gamelan Sekar Sequoia

Sunday mornings,
Feb 5, 12, 19, & 26, 2012,
9:30-10:30 am
11th & D in Arcata, near HSU
$25 for the 4-week session. For more info email GamelanSekarSequoia@gmail.com or call Sharon at (707) 502-7904

Oshogatsu Osoji

What Christmas is to Americans, Oshogatsu, the New Year holiday, is to the Japanese. Families gather, gifts are exchanged, businesses close for several days. In preparation, homes are cleaned top-to-bottom and then decorated. There is a frenzy of cooking mochi and other special New Year foods.

"Preparations for Oshogatsu begin in mid-December. Two Kadomatsu are placed in front of the main gate of the house. They are very elaborate ornamental arrangements of pine with bamboo intermingled wth the longer bamboo upright section in the middle. The Kadomatsu stand on the ground like gate guardians. Because of its hardiness, the pine tree stands for long life, and the bamboo for constancy and virtue -- a pun on its name. Shimenawa, or rice straw rope, hangs from the lintel of the entry door, a sacred rope from which hang wisps of gohei, white paper. Another arrangement of pine branches and bamboo adorns the main room withing the house to which blossoming plum is added. ... 

"... Kagami mochi, a large [mochi] surrounded by small ones, is placed on the stand in the main room's tokonoma, or alcove, next to the pine, bamboo and blossoming plum arrangement. ...

"To receive the New Year properly, each household must have susu barai, or cleaning day. It was a formerly hearth hearth exorcism. Even though I have lived away from my homeland for many years, I still practice this ritual at each year's end so that I have a very fresh start at the beginning of the new year."

-- Kimiko's World, Kimiko Sugano

Another word for pre-New Year cleaning is osoji.

In our home, we prepare for Christmas with a thorough cleaning in anticipation of visits from family and friends. Then after Christmas we then turn our attention to the chashitsu, the tea room, in observance of the Japanese tradition of cleaning the home and hearth for the New Year. 

Even though the tatami are swept and wiped each week during okeiko and the rest of the room gets cleaned as needed, dust and cat fur accumulates in the corners and under the mats. It's a chore to lift out the heavy tatami, vacuum and wipe them -- it used to take the two of us all day to clean the room, but our chore has since evolved into a cleaning party. Harvey-sensei's students come to help and the whole process goes so quickly that we're done in a couple of hours. Afterwards, we relax with sake and a bowl of miso or soba, and look forward to the New Year.

Laura and David moved tatami mats from the tea room
and stacked them in the hall.

Tatami removed from tea room,
Harvey dusts the window sill.
Photo by David Luckhardt

Laura dusts screens, tatami and the tea room
with her handy portable vacuum.
Photo by David Luckhardt

Holly washing the windows.
Photo by David Luckhardt

Laura adjusting extensions cords for the okiro.
Photo by David Luckhardt

A Different Type of Tea Ceremony

High tea at Lovejoy's Tea Room in Florence, Oregon. Listen to Judith -- that woman knows tea.

Scones, cream and jam

A rich black tea with a dash of cream

Ganbare Nihon! Media Exhibit

We attended the exhibit of the Ganbare Nihon! tsunami relief project this weekend. The photographs and multimedia presentation were incredibly moving.

Coordinator Fukiko Marshall and journalism student
Ashley Ward speak with guests at the exhibit.

This show will be up only from Sept. 2–7 at the Vance Hotel, 521 2nd Street (corner of Second and G streets) in Eureka's Old Town from 11:30 a.m.– 7 p.m.

Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo

"Carefully look at nature, including insects. It's a way of life."

-- From Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo

What sounded like a Saturday monster movie matinee turned out to be a charming and thoughtful examination of the relationship of insects and Japanese people and culture. A must-see for lovers of Asian culture and insects alike:

"Like a detective story, the film untangles the web of influences behind Japan’s captivation with insects. It opens in modern-day Tokyo where a single beetle recently sold for $90,000 then slips back to the early 1800s, to the first cricket-selling business and the development of haiku and other forms of insect literature and art. Through history and adventure, Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo travels all the way back in time to stories of the fabled first emperor who named Japan the 'Isle of the Dragonflies.'"

 Visit the website and view the trailer here: http://www.beetlequeen.com

12th Annual Hakone Matsuri

At Hakone Gardens, Saratoga, California
Sunday, May 15, 2011, 11 AM – 4 PM

A yearly event to enjoy mouth-watering chicken yakitori and other dishes, musical and dance performances, a silent auction and various other cultural events. Admission is free.

Highlights of the Event

Program: Mochi Pounding Performance, Tea Ceremony, Tsugaru Shamisen, Koto and Flute Performance, Japanese Kimono/Obi demonstration, Shorinji Kempo, Flower Arrangement, Okinawa Dance, Children's games. Silent Auction: includes round trip air tickets to Japan, electronic gadgets, Kimonos. Foods: Chicken Yakitori, Gyoza, Kagami Biraki, sake tasting, and more.

Supported by Consulate General of Japan, San Francisco

Parking: Free parking at the Saratoga High School, 20300, 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga. Take free shuttle buses to Hakone. Hakaone Parking is $15 per vehicle and upon availability.

Google Doodles

Google.com celebrates significant anniversaries and holidays from around the world with Google Doodles. Here are some we collected from earlier this year.

Mar 03, 2011 Girl's Day - (Japan)

Feb 28, 2011 Li Bai's Birthday - (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan)

Feb 26, 2011 100th Birthday of Taro Okamoto - (Japan)

Feb 17, 2011 Lantern Festival - (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan)

Feb 12, 2011 Naomi Uemura's 70th Birthday - (Japan)

Feb 03, 2011 Lunar New Year's - (China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan)

Jan 20, 2011 Birthday of Takayanagi Kenjiro - (Japan)

Jan 10, 2011 Coming of Age Day - (Japan)

Ohanami!

A hypnotic pink froth entrances young and old, 

Lures us into parks and down tree-lined allées, 

Invites us to pause in the shower of delicate petals 

And drink our fill of spring.

Kyoto, Japan

Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Sakura to go, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Celebrating the Buddha's birth, Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

Sankei-en, Yokohama, Japan

Salted cherry blossoms

Wagashi shaped like a cherry blossom

Sakura mochi, Kyoto-style

More photos here: https://picasaweb.google.com/105060227937518922873/SakuraMadness#

Artware Affair 2011

The Ink People Center for the Arts -- ardent sponsor of fledgling arts organizations such as our own Horai Center -- had it tough in 2010. A magnitude 6.5 earthquake on Jan. 9, 2010, damaged the city-owned building that housed the Inker's offices and galleries. Officials yellow-tagged the building, and Inkers found haven in a suite of offices leased to the Northern California Indian Development Council.

The Artware Affair is an important fundraising events for The Ink People but this year it seems to have more importance in light of the burden of increased financial hardships. Hardships never put a damper on a good Ink People party, so vamos a guarachar!

2011 Artware Affair ~ HAVANA NIGHTS

Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 5 to 10pm
Wharfinger Building, Eureka, Calif.

artware.inkpeople.org

Un saludo carinoso!

Please join us for our 2011 gala celebration: HAVANA NIGHTS. The evening will be filled with exciting entertainment by the amazing HSU Afro-Cuban Club, fabulous food, decadent desserts and, of course, an incredible auction from local artists. This great event usually held in March is now January 29th... we hope you will mark your calendars. As they say, "Vamos a guarachar!" (Let's enjoy!)

Artists have big dreams. When these dreams benefit our community, The Ink People Center for the Arts is there to help make them happen!

This amazing evening will include live and silent art auctions featuring the work of many top artists of the North Coast, entertainment by The HSU Afro-Cuban Club and Bailarmos Salsa Dancers, mouth-watering food by Ms. M's Catering and a delightful themed Dessert As Art competition. Tickets are only $40 and a table of 8 may be reserved for just $280.
For more information, contact The Ink People at 442-8413 or Shoshanna at 616-6876.
We would love to invite artists to participate in this years' celebration... contact Shoshanna if you are interested!

Cigar Box Transformations

Artist-transformed cigar boxes will be auctioned for this year's Artware Affair -- and Holly Harvey of Horai Center made a contribution. This cigar box, titled "Bamboo," was inspired by Japanese maki-e or lacquerware. On display through the month of January at the Ink People's alternative gallery at Eureka's Adorni Center.

Before...

... and after! Click to enlarge.

Gamelan Performance During Eureka Arts Alive!

Eureka's monthly arts night, Arts Alive!, is a remarkable showcase for the area's diverse artistic talents. In May, we stumbled upon a performance by Gamelan Sekar Sequoia (pictured above), a community-based gamelan ensemble. If you're unfamiliar with this traditional Indonesian music, search YouTube.com take a listen: it's percussive, melodic and magical. Live gamelan music is a special treat. 

Gamelan Sekar Sequoia will treat your ears with a free live performance during Arts Alive! Saturday, Nov. 6, 6-9 p.m. at Indah Bali, 440 F St., Eureka.

For more information about Arts Alive! call 707-442-9054.

Encyclopedia of Shinto

Recently, Harvey found a darling picture of a Japanese shrine cat which reminded us of our cat, Nikko. The photo was taken at Umemiya Shrine in Kyoto. Curious, I did a quick Google search to find out about the shrine and came across this website:

http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/

This is a good introduction to Shinto, an important influence on Chado and Japanese culture in general.

Ukiah spelled backward is...

... Haiku!

And Ukiah has a Haiku festival in late April. Who knew? Not me! I learned about it only after the event was over. I'm putting it on the calendar for next year. It's only a three-hour drive for us and could be a lot of fun. Care to join us?

Read more about it:

SFGate.com
www.ukiahaiku.org
www.ahapoetry.com/aguide.htm

Princess Taiping rammed by unknown vessel

We received this message over the weekend:

"Hello all

Bad news, the Princess Taiping capsized off the coast of Taiwan, near Suao. All were rescued. We hope to hear from Angela and the rest of the crew soon. Our thoughts are with you.

Here is the url of the article:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090425/BREAKING01/90425074

Amy, Dennis Sean, Ryan Lily"

The Princess Taiping, a replica Chinese junk, was struck by an unknown vessel and sunk off the coast of Taiwan. She had nearly completed her round-trip of the Pacific Ocean.

The Princess Taiping visited Humboldt Bay, Eureka, in October 2008 (see Previous Posts, below). Harvey and the crew enjoyed friendly maritime exchanges of tea, chess and boat talk, and we exchanged ensigns with the captain and crew.

Here's a more detailed story on The China Post:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/04/27/205767/Princess-Taiping.htm

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- “We all but made it,” Nelson Liu bemoaned yesterday…

And from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8020206.stm

A replica 16th-Century junk has sunk off Taiwan, one day short of completing an epic voyage to the US and back.…

We're very grateful to the Taiwanese Coast Guard for rescuing the crew of the Princess Taiping but deeply saddened at the loss of their beautiful ship.

:: :: ::

Facebook Group: search for "Sailing Yacht Princess Taiping"

Previous Horaizons posts:
HSU to host Chinese junk skipper
Chinese ship replica visits Humboldt
Photo album

Paper Hina-ningyo for Hinamatsuri

Upcoming tea practice falls on Hinamatsuri and since we don't have proper Hina ningyo to display, so I found this online to celebrate Hinamatsuri in proper fashion:

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft/seasons/03/index.html

You can download the pdf, then print and cut out the tiny paper figures, then glue it up to make a three-tier display. I don't recommend this unless you have sharp scissors or xacto blade, magnifying glasses and an obsessive-compulsive personality. However, the figures are beautifully drawn and it's darling without being exceptionally cutesy. Also on the same website are paper crafts for other Japanese holidays, which promise to be equally challenging.

HSU to host Chinese junk skipper

Liu Ning Sheng, the skipper of the Chinese junk Princess TaiPing that recently visited Humboldt Bay, will discuss his globe-spanning sailboat adventures on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Fishbowl at the Humboldt State University Library.

http://www.times-standard.com/ci_10744063?IADID=Search-www.times-standard.com-www.times-standard.com