The 2020 Virtual Aki Matsuri presented by NMJACL is an online virtual experience focused on highlighting the best parts of past Aki Matsuri festivals in Albuquerque, while connecting visitors to online experiences inline with the Aki Matsuri key components : Art, Music, Dance, Food, Culture, and History
WATCH ALBUQUERQUE POET LAUREATE MARY OISHI INTRODUCE THE 2020 VIRTUAL AKI MATSURI INSIDE THE JAPANESE GARDEN AT THE ABQ BIO PARK BELOW
Welcome to the NMJACL 2020 Virtual Aki Matsuri
Eating Sushi is a Delicious Japanese tradition
Learn from Japanese born Chef Shigeru Usuki about the art of sushi making and how to create sushi yourself.
The Art of Bonsai : Grow and Care for a Bonsai tree
A quick look at what the Albuquerque Bonsai Club is about and what they feature at the annual Japanese Festival
Japanese Taiko Drumming
See local groups perform
Enjoy performances by local Taiko groups. BK Taiko features both Taiko as well as Martial Arts performances
Origami Is More Than a Visual Artform. Learn How It Inspires Mindfulness! We have provided an origami demonstration for beginners to complete. Let the folding begin!
Aki Matsuri – 2018 /2019
Highlights
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AKI MATSURI
Performances
SHAMISEN – Performed by Sara Fugami
The shamisen is a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument derived from the Chinese instrument sanxian. It is played with a plectrum called a bachi.
TAIKO – Performed by NM Taiko
Taiko are a broad range of Japanese percussion instruments. In Japanese, the term refers to any kind of drum, but outside Japan, it is used specifically to refer to any of the various Japanese drums called wadaiko.
FLOWER SONG – by Yoko Tadda
The music of Japan includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles, both traditional and modern. The word for “music” in Japanese is 音楽 (ongaku), combining the kanji 音 on (sound) with the kanji 楽 gaku (enjoy).
FOLK ART DANCE – by ALJ06
An up and coming newcomer to the Aki Matsuri stage is a small group, ALJ06, comprised of six vibrant young ladies who perform traditional folk art dances to popular Japanese- Pop songs and dances of today.
MARTIAL ARTS – by AKKA Karate
AKKA KARATE USA is a traditionally oriented school of kenpo. Kenpo is the oldest of arts to come to Japan from China and is based on learning self-defense techniques as a method of cultivating self-respect.
POP CULTURE – Gamer Made Cafe
Straight out of the Otaku’s closet, we’re here to entertain! Gamer Made Cafe is a brand new Maid Cafe experience fashioned after the classic Akihabara Maid Cafe but with a fair bit of modern and pop culture twists. We sing, we dance, and we play a ton of awesome games!
Confinement in the Land of Enchantment
| Documentary Film Project
Take a sneak peek at the Confinement in the Land of Enchantment documentary film and stay tuned for more info regarding our upcoming 2021 Japanese Film Festival.
Aki Matsuri – 2018 /2019
Photo Highlights
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Aki Matsuri – Online Art Gallery
Local Japanese Artists
Setsuko Winchester
Setsuko is an American ceramic artist, photographer, and journalist of Japanese ethnicity living in West-
ern Massachusetts. Visit her at www.yellowbowlproject.com
Joel Nakamura
Joel is an image-maker, producing art for commercial clients and galleries. Projects include the 2002 Winter Olympics opening and closing program illustrations, Maxalt brand art for Merck Pharmaceutical, author and illustrator of Moonbeam children’s book silver award winning Go West! and I Dreamed I was Dog.
Sashiko
The ancient Japanese art of mending and decorating clothing is making a comeback in the sewing world. Sashiko Hand-Stitching Group members: Shirley Fleischauer (organizer), Linda Brewer, and Shelley Takeuchi. Shirley Fleischauer teaches Sashiko at UNM Continuing Education.
ABQ Bonsai Club
A group of bonsai enthusiasts of all levels from beginners to lifelong practitioners. Members are active in workshops, study groups, and demonstrations, and they present the Mother’s Day Weekend annual bonsai exhibition at Albuquerque Botanical Gardens.
Gene Kimura
Gene Kimura is a landscape watercolorist and cartoonist. We look forward to have him back to cartoon at the 2021 Aki Matsuri
Chado New Mexico
Established in 2004, is a communities-based nonprofit that represents the Urasenke Tradition of tea in New Mexico. It is one of over 100 Urasenke associations around the world, and has over 75 members
spread throughout the American Southwest.
Andrea Imprescia
Andrea has been in the shaved ice and purified water business for
16 years. Recently, expanded her business to include ice sculpting, thanks to the generosity and kindness of a caterer and carver here in Albuquerque. It has
been an enjoyably new learning curve for Andrea, as she is not a stranger to challenges. She hopes to expand her knowledge and expertise with time.
George Leone
George has been practicing Japanese sumi-e painting since 1971 when he studied it with Michio Takayama in Taos. He has been teaching sumi-e painting since 2009. George has also practiced Zen since 1975.
Michael Thornton
Michael is a master potter and art teacher whose work expresses
affinity with Asian pottery traditions and aesthetics. He has studied his art over 30 years in America & Japan with ceramics masters. His works are in public and private collections around the globe. Thesaurus Study / Galley is his own work- shop and display gallery.
YELLOW BOWL
PROJECT| Freedom from Fear
SETSUKO WINCHESTER : My project may throw light on a discomforting part of American history but perhaps it can help gauge where we are in this ever-evolving experiment we call “America.”
AKI MATSURI
ART DEMONSTRATIONS
Art of Ikebana (Yayoi Tanida)
Yayoi began the study of Ikebana in 2001 under Mary Burnett de Gomez, a Master Teacher of Ichiyo School of Ikebana. She became a certified Instructor in 2007, and has been teaching in private classes and workshops. She is from Kobe, Japan, and moved to Albuquerque in 1998.
Japanese Tea Ceremony – Chado NM
Established in 2004, is a communities-based nonprofit that
represents the Urasenke Tradition of tea in New Mexico. It is one of over 100 Urasenke associations around the world, and has over 75 members spread throughout the American Southwest.
Pottery Demo – Not Made in China
Pottery and porcelain, is one of the oldest Japanese crafts and art forms, dating back to the Neolithic period. Kilns have produced earthenware, pottery, stoneware, glazed pottery, glazed stoneware, porcelain, and blue-and-white ware.
Sumi-e Demonstration
George has been practicing Japanese sumi-e painting since 1971 when he studied it with Michio Takayama in Taos.
Jimbo’s Lullaby – Patrick Nagatani
Excerpt from youtube: My Mom transitioned on July 3, 2012… about an hour before midnight. This was one of the last pieces of music she heard. She was given the Buddhist rebirth name of Shaku Horaku – Patrick Nagatani was our featured artist during 2015 Art Benefit / Aki Matsuri.
Ikebana Demonstration
Mable Orndoff-Plunkett does a live demonstration for the Virtual Aki Matsuri. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. It is also known as Kadō.
Ikebana International – Ch 41
The Ikenbana International Chapter 41 made a special presentation for the 2020 Virtual Aki Matsuri they wanted to share with everyone. Enjoy!
LIVING HISTORY – JACL PLAYERS
New Mexico’s JACL Players have been touring Living History shows on the Japanese American experience throughout New Mexico since 2014
Bring Our History to Life
Nikki Nojima Louis leads, writes and directs her cast portraying delicate subjects regarding race, immigration, internment and redress.
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