Resident Free Tuesday

April 19th | May 17th | June 21st

Join us for San Diego Resident Free Tuesday to be immersed in Japanese Culture through demonstrations, lectures, and performances. This free programming will be hosted every third Tuesday of the month through June 2022.

What to expect on April 19th:

Merchant Vendor: Kodama Forest will be on-site. Learn the technique of kokedama by joining the on-site workshop or take home something special from the booth.

Kimono + Yukata Rental: Kimono and yukata dressing will be available for a fee in the lower garden.

Lecture: Learn about traditional Japanese kimonos and yukatas. The class on the 19th will cover Hakamas in the Inamori Pavilion at 1:30pm.

Mesa College Fashion Program and Stickers From Vision Museum (2022): The Kimono Reimagined Project Fashion Show will take place in the Lower Garden starting at 11:00am.

Craft: JFG will offer free educational kid’s crafts in the Upper Garden.

Kamishibai: First performed on the streets of Tokyo in 1930, Kamishibai (kah-mee-shee-bye), meaning “paper theatre” will be performed live by Write Out Loud.

Performance: Masazumikai will perform in the Lower Garden at 12:30pm.

The Masazumi Kai koto ensemble, consisting of koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi, has been performing in San Diego area schools and other public areas since 1971. The group performs a variety of music ranging from classical Japanese to modern, and has even performed with a Suzuki violin group, as well as a Japanese dancing troupe. Masazumi Kai concerts have featured marimba, harmonica, shakuhachi and koto artists, most notably Iemoto Nakashima, the head of the Seiha Conservatory of Japanese Music, and the celebrated composer and virtuoso, Shinichi Yuize, under whom Masazum Mizuno studied koto in Tokyo. Twelve of Mizuno Sensei’s students have taken their tests in Japan to receive the Junshihan, or Assistant Teacher Degree, four have gone on to receive their Shihan, or Teacher Degree, and one has even achieved her Daishihan, or Grand Master Degree. Masazumi Kai has been performing annually at the Japanese Friendship Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, Fall and Spring Sumi-e shows, and the Buddhist Temple of San Diego’s cultural bazaar. Masazumi Mizuno continues to teach koto and shamisen, and perform at various venues including schools throughout San Diego as part of the Youth Audiences program in the hope of spreading appreciation of Japanese culture.

What to expect on May 17th:

Kimono + Yukata Rental: Kimono and yukata dressing will be available for a fee in the Upper Garden.

Lecture: Learn about traditional Japanese kimonos and yukatas. The class on May 17th will cover Furisode in the Inamori Pavilion at 12:00pm.

Craft: JFG will offer free educational kid’s crafts in the Upper Garden.

Kamishibai: First performed on the streets of Tokyo in 1930, Kamishibai (kah-mee-shee-bye), meaning “paper theatre” will be performed live by Write Out Loud.

Performance: San Diego Kendo Bu will perform in the Inamori Pavilion at 1:00pm

What to expect on June 21st:

Merchant Vendor: Kodama Forest will be on-site. Learn the technique of kokedama by joining the on-site workshop or take home something special from the booth.

Kimono + Yukata Rental: Kimono and yukata dressing will be available for a fee in the Upper Garden.

Lecture: Learn about traditional Japanese kimonos and yukatas. The class on June 21st will cover Tomesode in the Inamori Pavilion at 12:00pm.

Craft: JFG will offer free educational kid’s crafts in the Upper Garden.

Kamishibai: First performed on the streets of Tokyo in 1930, Kamishibai (kah-mee-shee-bye), meaning “paper theatre” will be performed live by Write Out Loud.