mmblog

Call For Artists: Design Our 2016 Tee!

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[twocol_one]The Year of the Sheep is getting ready to bid us farewell, but the Year of the Monkey is waiting patiently around the corner to greet us with a cheerful “Uki-uki!” As you may know, the Japanese zodiac is very similar to the Chinese zodiac, with every year being represented by a different animal in a cycle of twelve. This year, at Oshogatsu, we’ll celebrate the Year of the Monkey for those born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, and of course, 2016! What better way to commemorate …

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Make November Memories at Morikami!

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The year has flown! Another successful Lantern Festival has come and gone, and now we patiently await the many celebrations that unfold at year’s end! With November marking the official beginning of the holiday season, make some memories with us and enjoy the exciting programming being offered at Morikami. [twocol_one] Ikebana Flower Arrangement: Ikenobo School Tuesdays, November 3, 10 & 17, 2015 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm Flower arrangement, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art. The Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles …

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Yōkai, Obake, and Yūrei: The Rundown on Japanese Creatures

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Although you could say that peak ghost season in Japan is in August, due to the Obon festival, Halloween has experienced a surge in popularity in the last decade. With theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan holding annual Halloween events since 2000, it has caught on with children and adults alike! Now it’s our turn—in the spirit of cultural exchange, let’s learn a bit about the spooky side of Japanese folklore! Because the Japanese bestiary is so enormous, it would take volumes to do it justice, but …

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CHEERS TO SAKE!

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[twocol_one]DID YOU KNOW today is a highly anticipated day for many Japanese…and basically every sake-enthusiast in the world? Today we celebrate our absolute favorite libation during Nihonshu no Hi, or World Sake Day! This holiday marks the start of the sake brewing season for the year in Japan. Let’s make a toast, and learn a bit about superb, sumptuous, sacred sake! A few fun facts… Sake is the oldest known alcoholic beverage in the world. When it was first introduced in Japan (around 689AD), sake was known as “The Drink …

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Are You Ready for the 2015-2016 Season?

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The last Sushi & Stroll may mark the end of summer fun, but rest assured that our 2015-2016 class schedule is sure to pack quite an educational punch! Learn about the many different programs available to adults throughout the coming season and register now to round out your cultural skillset. Whether you’re interested in speaking Japanese or learning to capture the serene beauty of landscapes through ink, Morikami has you covered: [box type=”alert”]*Advance registration required.[/box] [twocol_one] Sumi-e Ink Painting: Floral or Landscape Class* Price: 4-week session: $60 (Members $55) | 3-week session: …

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