JFG Website Revamped!

We just launched our revamped website! Let us know what you think:) www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org

JFG Office

Have you ever wondered where we work? The Japanese Friendship Garden shares our office building with other non-profit organizations. They're such good neighbors!

We love our new office building! Built in 1919, the Winship House was originally the home for a local dentist. Newly renovated by the City of Phoenix, it features original hardwood floors, two levels and, perhaps best of all, it's right next door to the Garden!

Screening of 'Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden'

Join the Japanese Friendship Garden and No Festival Required for a screening of 'Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden' on September 8th, 2013 at 2PM. This documentary produced by the Smithsonian takes you on a journey through some of the most remarkable gardens in the world. The screening will take place at the Phoenix Center for the Arts. JFG members can present their membership cards for a discounted $5 ticket. We hope to see you there!

See more information about the event on No Festival Required's Facebook Event page.

Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors Tour

Japanese Friendship Garden Staff and Docents recently welcomed this year's Phoenix Sister Cities Youth Ambassadors to the Garden as they all met for the first time that morning. The enthusiastic students enjoyed their visit and we were all glad that it was early enough to be somewhat comfortable. Enjoy your visit to Phoenix and we'll see you next year!

See more photos from the tour here.

Beautiful Saturday at the Garden

Phoenix summer temps have arrived, but that did not diminish the activity in the Garden last Saturday, June 8, 2013! With the close of the season, volunteers performed a Gift Shop inventory and packed everything. The trailer is scheduled to be removed but don't worry! A new entry building is on the drawing board so stay tuned for more information. The summer tea ceremony was a delightful way to escape the heat and experience serenity as our guests discovered that morning. Our terrific supporters, the Greater Phoenix Pond Society, held their June meeting that morning, then enjoyed a Docent tour of the Garden. And since it was Saturday, volunteer gardeners were found throughout the Garden. You too can enjoy the beauty of getting your hands dirty by joining our volunteer team! This is one of the only times you can stray from the path and it will be all right so please contact the office to learn more. We also welcomed several guests who stopped over after attending the Great Arizona Puppet Theater show at our neighbor's across the street! Everyone enjoyed the day working hard or enjoying tea at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix!

See more photos here.

Garden Lecture: Japanese American Baseball

Bill Staples displays his love of the game whenever you talk with him. Baseball is what animates him and this was apparent during his lecture last Sunday. He flows through the history of Japanese American baseball with ease and specifically presents details about one pioneer, Kenichi Zenimura. There are so many contributing facts to this story, you may want to purchase his book (availabe in the Gift Shop) to learn all you can about this fascinating chapter of baseball history. Thanks to Bill for providing one more aspect of Japanese culture! 

See more photos from the lecture here.

Strolling in Yukata 2013

The annual Strolling in Yukata was a delightful evening of camaraderie, delicious cuisine, fun activities, and delightful entertainment. In addition, the MarketPlace provided interesting and beautiful items to purchase, while others were able to actually try-on yukata, yoga, or tai chi for the first time. We also displayed lovely kimonos usually hidden in the storage. Everyone had an enjoyable evening and we all look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Many thanks to all who attended, and special thanks to Alan Jones and Max Beckman for music, Mine Tominaga for Ondo dancing, JBAA (Japan Business Association of Arizona), Fushicho Daiko for their captivating taiko drumming, Harumi Yoga, Phoenix Bonsai Society, Safe Movements for tai chi, Kenton Knepper for Tibetan Crystal bowls, ForMyReason.com, and our Staff and volunteers for their work to make this happen!

See more photos from the event here.

Garden Lecture: Shodo Calligraphy

Yuko Harada kept the Garden Lecture Series presentation interesting for her guests on Sunday, April 21, 2013 in the Garden. She brought them into a way to feel from within what they record on the paper in front of them. Most agreed that Shodo Calligraphy is not only interesting but soothing.

See more photos from the lecture here.

Children's Day 2013

Children's Day was a delightful success! Thanks to everyone who came to join in the fun. The kids were busy creating art, folding origami, watching the new batch of baby ducks, feeding the koi, listening to stories, getting face painting, and so much more. Water yo-yos were quite a hit. Listening to the exciting beat of taiko drumming and watching youngsters learn aikido caught everyone's attention. The Anime Contest winners were awarded terrific prizes...it was difficult to choose the "best" art!

Special thanks to Sister Cities Himeji Committee, Phoenix Comicon, Mesquite High School volunteers, Ken Koshio, Arizona Aikido, and all our volunteers and hearty thanks to Staff, who made this day happen as a huge success!

See more photos from the event here.

Garden Lecture: Kabuki

It was a lovely Sunday afternoon at RO HO EN and our Garden Lecture on Kabuki by Janelle R. was informative and so interesting. There is an aura of mystery about this art form. All male actors, intricate costumes, allowable audience interaction, and so much more. Janelle shared so many details but believes there are so many more to learn! It is definitely worth the trip to anywhere in the world to see a kabuki performance. Many thanks to Janelle for spending time in the Garden to present another aspect of the arts and culture of Japan.

See more photos from the lecture here.

Fiber Haiku 2013

This fabulous returning exhibit is one you will not want to miss! Displayed throughout March, every Thursday through Sunday (weather permitting; 10 am to 4 pm), each piece is a delight to behold! Here are only a few of the incredible stitched pieces, in case you need some enticement to come stroll the path and view the entire exhibit. The highly qualified artists have created gorgeous art that positively compliments the beauty of the Garden. We welcome you to please stop by to see all of the fiber art displayed...you won't be disappointed!

See more photos from the event here.

Garden Lecture: The Evolution of Kimono

Some of the mystery of kimono was defined at our February Garden Lecture by Harumi Maejima. The styles, colors, patterns, and even design of this beautiful traditional garment has come gracefully into the present in a lovely manner. Knowing the fabric and its proper care are important components of owning a kimono. Dressing in kimono is a learned art and takes patience and time to accomplish. Harumi and her models demonstrated beautifully the wearing of both the traditional and contemporary kimono. The history of kimono started so long ago and continues to evolve. Thank you Harumi, for sharing so much information!

See more photos from the lecture here.

Fourth Annual Ikebana Exhibit

Once again, the ikebana arrangements gracing the path were exquisite. The natural beauty of each piece brought you into the feeling of the individual creation. While an intimate part their surroundings, each one made its own statement. Everyone loved the way these pieces embellished the serenity of the Garden. Thank you to Ping Wei and all the artists for designing such lovely works and more importantly, for sharing them with all the visitors to RO HO EN. We look forward to welcoming you all back to the Garden again next year.

See more photos from the event here.

Garden Lecture: Sun Prints

The temps were warm as the sun shone down on the Garden last weekend. It was a perfect setting for photographer and Board member Arne Williams to present this month's lecture on Sun Prints. Many guests joined him in the Pavilion area to learn about this fun art and then many were able to create their own masterpiece! It was a lot of fun as well as informative. Many thanks to Arne for not only teaching the process but also for bringing so many supplies to make this possible! And thanks to everyone who joined us as well as all of you who walked the path over the weekend.

See more photos from the lecture here.