One Man’s Journey to Taiko

[twocol_one]Doanh Nguyen embodies the true spirit of Fushu Daiko – an amalgamation of talents, experiences and skills that fuse together to bring a truly unique sound to Japanese-inspired taiko drumming. Fushu Daiko is a South Florida creation, born of artists who celebrate diversity in their cultural performances. Nguyen’s journey to becoming a group member is one that every person can relate to – a journey of curiosity, perseverance and passion. And all begins with one step. : How did you learn of Fushu Daiko? A: I learned about Fushu Daiko …

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Catch ‘Em All in Roji-en!

[twocol_one]Walking through Roji-en, a visitor will find the typical South Florida “monsters” and “dinosaurs,” like iguanas, curly-tailed lizards, and brightly colored bugs. But if you look closely – using your smartphone – you’ll also find the coveted Pokémon that have legions of fans searching for them via Pokémon Go! The augmented reality game has found a kindred Japanese-inspired space in Morikami’s gardens, and Roji-en has welcomed several new faces, seeking out its two gyms and 15 Pokéstops to capture the digital creatures. Morikami’s festivals attract fans of anime and cosplay, …

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Summer Travels: Into the Land that is Japan \(^.^)/

By Gina Musick, Education Intern for Summer Tour Plus 2016 Program [twocol_one] Hello everyone! My name is Gina Musick and I am a new volunteer, but as a seasoned Morikami member and Elementary Education major in college, I saw an amazing opportunity in front of me when I read about a posting for an Education Intern for their Summer Tour Plus program. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like – a tour! A wonderful tour where both docents and volunteers come together in order to create a fun, interactive, and educational …

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Speaker Spotlight: Robert Lang

Hear from TED Talk Contributor, Robert Lang, at Morikami on Friday, December 9th (advance ticket purchase required) [button link=”http://blogarchive.morikami.org/product/from-flapping-birds-to-space-telescopes-the-art-and-science-of-origami-lecture/”]REGISTER HERE[/button] [twocol_one]Q How long have you been creating origami pieces? I’ve been folding origami since the age of 6, and began creating my own designs by around 10 or 11. So, I’ve been creating my own designs for about 45 years. Q What first interested you in the art of origami? It was a combination of it being an interesting puzzle and challenge, and a way to create beautiful and interesting …

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Hand Papermaking for the Art of Origami

By Michael G. LaFosse, Origamido Studio Check out this step-by-step tutorial on the complex art of papermaking! [twocol_one] Materials Only the finest archival plant fibers are used for origami papermaking. Clockwise, from top left: abaca, gampi, flax, and cotton rag. Gampi and the flax shown must first be cooked in a mild alkali and then thoroughly rinsed before beating. Other dried, semi-processed fibers must first be soaked in water before beating. Beaten fibers may also be blended to impart qualities of each to the resulting paper. Each design requires a …

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