Summer Cultural Series

Made possible with an Art & Cultural Assistance Grant from the city of Gresham

2021 is the 10-year anniversary of the rebirth of Tsuru Island (Fukkatsu). We feel we’ve established a solid framework within our organization and also a positive presence in the city through our stewardship of the Gresham Japanese Garden, Ebetsu Plaza, and Ambleside Annex. We feel an obligation to educate our community to Japanese culture, and to the historical story of the Japanese Americans who settled in our area by offering cultural programs.

2021 Summer Cultural Series at the Garden

JUNE 5

Sho- Art (Calligraphy) Live Performances – 1:00 & 2:15pm
Art of Bonsai Demonstrations – 11:30am to 1:30pm

JUNE 19

Shinobue (Bamboo Flute) Performances – 1pm & 2:15pm
Ikebana (Floral Arrangement) Demonstrations – 10am-noon

JULY 10

Oregon Koto-Kai (Japanese Harp) Performances – 1pm & 2:15pm
Origami for All Ages and Abilities – Noon to 2pm

JULY 24

Oregon Koto-Kai (Japanese Harp) Performances – 1pm & 2:15pm
Ikebana (Floral Arrangement) Demonstrations – 3:00  to 5:00pm

AUGUST 7

Takohachi’s Q (Drums) Performances – 11am & 1pm
Art of Bonsai Demonstrations – 2:00 to 4:00pm

June 5

Sho- Art (Calligraphy) Live Performances

Times: 1:00 & 2:15pm
Location: Ebetsu Plaza (south end of park)

Shodo is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing, a writing technique that uses ones body and heart. Shodo is influenced by Zen and can be practiced as a form of meditation.

Sora Shodo – Artist, Performer

SORA = Universe, SHO = Writing + DO = Tao

Sora’s creation, technique and philosophy are inspired by the deep history of Japanese Calligraphy. Born is Usuki, Japan, Sora started learning shodo at the age of 6. More recently she has focused on the bokutensha method, studying under Master Futo Suzuki in Japan and Sekko Daigo in Portland.

Sora combines striking and meaningful visual art with entrancing performance art. Through her shodo performance, Sora demonstrates the limitless possibilities of expression and challenges the leading edge of art.

In collaboration with musicians, dancers, and artists, each moment is spontaneously created together in synergy with the audience. The energy of the group is translated into art as Sora facilitates an experience of oneness in the present moment.

Also on June 5

Bonsai Demonstrations

Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm
Location: Tsuru Island

Bonsai is a Japanese term which, literally means “planted in a container”.

This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Bonsai has been around for well over a thousand years. The ultimate goal of growing a Bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants, in fact, any tree species can be used to grow one.

Mark Vossbrink – Instructor

Mark has been teaching bonsai for years. He grew up in Hawaii and learned bonsai at a young age. Mark teaches monthly bonsai classes at the Garden if you’re interested in pursuing this art of ingenuity.

June 19

Shinobue Performances

Times: 1:00 & 2:15pm
Location: Tsuru Island

Enjoy the peaceful music of the Shinobue as you enter Tsuru Island. Shinobue is a traditional bamboo flute categorized as a reed instrument such as the shakuhachi (Japanese end-blown flute.)

Yumi Torimaru – Musician, Performer

In recent years Yumi has undertaken a solo project (www.KotoriJapaneseMusic.com), where she freely expresses her originality in music Shinobue (bamboo flutes) and Tsugaru Shamisen (Japanese lute). The smaller ensembles and Solo projects allow her to do more collaborations with other musicians and artists.
In 2016, she became an apprentice of Ryuhiro Oyama, the distinguished Tsugaru Shamisen(Japanese lute) master of one of the biggest Tsugaru Shamisen Associations (Oyama-Kai) in Japan. He is well known for his deep knowledge of the Tsugaru style Minyo (folk songs). In 2020, Yumi started to take online professional shinobue training by a world-renowned musician, Yasukazu Kano.

Also on July 19

Ikebana Demonstrations

Times: 10:00am – noon
Location: Tsuru Island

Ikebana is one of the traditional Japanese art forms that uses plant and other materials to create floral arrangements. Ikebana was established in the 15th century though the origin goes back much farther.

Ikebana has three main components: the natural material (flowers, tree branches, leaves, or conifer needles), the vase, and the kendzan (a device for strengthening the stem and keeping it in the desired position). The basic aesthetic principle of Ikebana is refined simplicity, achieved by bringing out the natural beauty of the material, which determines the bouquet’s asymmetrical composition and contrasting colors and textures.

We are offering Ikebana workshops at the Garden with instructor, Nana Bellerud.

Nana G. Bellerud – Instructor

Nana G. Bellerud has been studying the Sogetsu School of ikebana since 2005 and continues to be inspired and have new insights from its teachings. Nana demonstrates, exhibits, and teaches ikebana at a wide range of venues including the Portland Art Museum, Portland Japanese Garden, and Leach Botanical Garden. Through her demonstrations and workshops, she seeks to introduce others to the art of ikebana and to intrigue and inspire them. Beyond simply producing a beautiful work of art with flowers and natural objects, she shows her audience how ikebana explores artistic concepts such as balance, contrast, and negative space. Nana is currently serving as Branch Director of Sogetsu Portland and is a past President of Ikebana International Portland Chapter #47.

July 10

Oregon Koto-Kai – Japanese Harps

Time: 1:00 & 2:15pm
Location: Ebetsu Plaza (south end of park)

Engross yourself in the sounds of Oregon Koto-Kai as they play music for all of us to hear.

Koto in Japanese is a long horizontal Japanese harps.

Also on July 10

Origami Interactive Workshop

Time: Noon – 2pm
Location: Ebetsu Plaza (south end of park)

Join us in making swans and flapping birds! Instructions will be given and visually posted.

Geared for all ages and abilities! These demonstrations will be hands-on and headed by Eileen Holzman who has 40 years experience in art and horticultural therapy.

July 24

Oregon Koto-Kai – Japanese Harps

Time: 1:00 & 2:15pm
Location: Ebetsu Plaza (south end of park)

Listen to Oregon Koto-Kai as they play music for all of us to hear. Koto is the long horizontal Japanese harps.

Also on July 24

Ikebana Demonstrations

Time: 3-5pm
Location: Tsuru Island

Ikebana is one of the traditional Japanese art forms that uses plant and other materials to create floral arrangements.

Beyond simply producing a beautiful work of art with flowers and natural objects, she shows her audience how ikebana explores artistic concepts such as balance, contrast, and negative space.

We are offering Ikebana workshops at the Garden with instructor, Nana Bellerud.

Nana G. Bellerud – Instructor

Nana G. Bellerud has been studying the Sogetsu School of ikebana since 2005 and continues to be inspired and have new insights from its teachings. Nana demonstrates, exhibits, and teaches ikebana at a wide range of venues including the Portland Art Museum, Portland Japanese Garden, and Leach Botanical Garden. Through her demonstrations and workshops, she seeks to introduce others to the art of ikebana and to intrigue and inspire them. Nana is currently serving as Branch Director of Sogetsu Portland and is a past President of Ikebana International Portland Chapter #47.

August 7

Takohachi’s (Drums) Performances

Time: 11:00am & 1:00pm
Location: Ebetsu Plaza (south end of park)

Watch this lively innovative ensemble perform using the strongly moving music and rhythm elements of Japan. The ensemble performing for the Garden will consist of Taiko (drum), Shinobue (bamboo flute), and Shamisen (lute).

Yumi Torimaru – Musician, Performer

In 2006, Yumi Torimaru founded her music ensemble, Takohachi (www.takohachi.org) in Portland, Oregon. Takohachi became a non-profit organization in 2007 to preserve traditional Japanese music and dance and to create some innovative taiko drum performances using the strongly moving music and rhythm elements of Japan. She has created more than 250 Takohachi shows to educate and entertain throughout the Portland area at schools, libraries, festivals, and cultural events.

In 2016, she became an apprentice of Ryuhiro Oyama, the distinguished Tsugaru Shamisen
(Japanese lute) master of one of the biggest Tsugaru Shamisen Associations (Oyama-Kai) in Japan. He is well known for his deep knowledge of the Tsugaru style Minyo (folk songs).

Also on August 7

Bonsai Demonstrations

Time: 2-4pm
Location: Tsuru Island

Bonsai is a Japanese term which, literally means “planted in a container”.

This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Bonsai has been around for well over a thousand years. The ultimate goal of growing a Bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants, in fact, any tree species can be used to grow one.

Mark Vossbrink – Instructor

Mark has been teaching bonsai for years. He grew up in Hawaii and learned bonsai at a young age. Mark teaches monthly bonsai classes at the Garden if you’re interested in pursuing this art of ingenuity.

Bonsai is a Japanese term which, literally means “planted in a container”.

This art form is derived from an ancient Chinese horticultural practice, part of which was then redeveloped under the influence of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Bonsai has been around for well over a thousand years. The ultimate goal of growing a Bonsai is to create a miniaturized but realistic representation of nature in the form of a tree. Bonsai are not genetically dwarfed plants, in fact, any tree species can be used to grow one.

Mark Vossbrink – Instructor

Mark has been teaching bonsai for years. He grew up in Hawaii and learned bonsai at a young age. Mark teaches monthly bonsai classes at the Garden if you’re interested in pursuing this art of ingenuity.