Chieko “Chi” Nakano is a lecturer in East Asian Studies at the University of Arizona. She teaches the art of origami every year at Tucson Meet Yourself. Origami, or the Japanese art of paper folding, is said to have a history of more than a thousand years. Making origami is something all Japanese girls—and most … Read more
Akiko Victorson learned SHODO (the art of Japanese calligraphy) from a master calligrapher during culture lessons in Japanese elementary school . SHODO is still one of the educational pillars in Japan. To do SHODO, one only needs a brush, ink (Sumi), paper and ink stone (Suzuri). Now in America, Akiko teaches calligraphy and sells her unique designs online. These designs include calligraphy … Read more
Suzuyuki-Kai is Southern Arizona’s only classical Japanese dance troupe, founded by Mari Kaneta, who was recognized by the Southwest Folklife Alliance, the organization that produces TMY, with a Master-Apprentice Artist Award in 2016 for her work preserving and passing on the tradition of Japanese dance. Traditional Japanese dance is taught orally, with direct instruction from … Read more
Karen Falkenstrom of Odaiko Sonora and Anne Pollack of Capoeira Mandinga share roles, responsibilities, and ethics of teaching and transmitting traditional practices. Deeply engaged in the practice and teaching of their respective forms, both artists will speak about their personal journeys acquiring and transmitting cultural knowledge. Facilitator: KATE ALEXANDER, TMY Performance Curator KAREN FALKENSTROM, Founder/Director, … Read more
Join Naina Bhamidipati and Mari Kaneta for a conversation about gesture as a vehicle for storytelling in dance and the work of upholding a dance tradition outside its cultural homeland. Bhamidipati demonstrates bharathanatyam, a traditional dance from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, accompanied by her brother, Nitish, on the mridangam drum. Kaneta, founder … Read more
A festival favorite of Japanese dishes including Takoyaki balls, which are actually Octopus dumplings. The Takoyaki Balls booth first started in February 2015 to share authentic tastes of Japan — and create more smiles. In 2019, we opened as food truck. Thanks to community members who have supported our small business, we survived the economic … Read more