Taiko with Toni 2015 Hina Matsuri Festival final set

 

 

Final set, and my favorite, a really great show and very inspiring!

Taiko with Toni 2015 Hina Matsuri Festival Third set

 

Part three, lots of solos here, great job!

Taiko with Toni 2015 Hina Matsuri Festival second set

 

Part two!

Taiko with Toni 2015 Hina Matsuri Festival opening set and introduction

 

 

Always a favorite at Denver Festivals, Taiko With Toni performed at the recent Hina Matsuri Festival.

I am excited as I have just started studying with this group.  Thank goodness I am the amateur videographer and won’t be performing!

Otafuku-San

 

 

Otafuku-San, the Goddess of Mirth!

Here are several beautiful examples displayed at the recent Hina Matsuri Festival.

 

 

With her smiling face she represents every woman. Her small mouth confirms she does not use unnecessary words.

 

Displaying Otafuku-San will insure a happy home or business and bring good fortune to all who come into her presence.

 

Advertisement

Keiro-no-Hi at Simpson UMC

Respect of the Aged Day, or Keiro-no-Hi, was established as a national holiday in Japan in 1966 to express respect for the elders in the community, to recognize and thank them for their contributions to society, to celebrate their long lives and offer special gifts to bring even more longevity to their lives.  It was initially held every September 15^th but since 2003 it has been held on the 3^rd Monday of every September.

At Simpson United Methodist Church we celebrate Keiro-no-Hi in the fall.  This year it was held on October 26th.  A celebration luncheon was provided for those in the Simpson community that were 80 years of age or older.  The ladies made baked salmon and an asian chicken salad and the congregation contributed special dishes to share.

The special gift this year was Manju, a Japanese dessert. The outside is made from sweetened rice powder or sweetened pounded rice and inside is a delicious filling of anko red bean paste made from boiled azuki beans and sugar or other similar bean paste.  The children of the congregation and their Sunday School teacher folded many origami boxes and inside was placed a Manju and an individually wrapped green tea bag.

 

The congregation of Simpson UMC truly appreciate and respect their elders.  We are especially thankful for their establishing the Simpson community so many years ago.  All look forward to this celebration each year and we are grateful for the opportunity this particular mini festival allows in that all are able to reconnect and bond with each other on this special day.

 

Shichi-Go-San, Blessing of the Children

Shichi-Go-San “Seven-Five-Three” is a traditional festival day in Japan celebrated to mark the growth of children as they turn three, five and seven years of age.  In Japan this festival occurs annually on November 15 or on the nearest weekend.  Parents take their children to a shrine where they pray for the good health and well-being of their children.

At Simpson UMC Shichi-Go-San was celebrated this year on October 5^th.  We also call the day “Blessing of the Children”.  We bless all children of the congregation and other children who wish to attend, we thank God for their presence in our lives and for their health and happiness.

In Japan the children may wear their traditional dress, kimonos for girls and haori jackets and hakama trousers for boys.

At Simpson the girls wore kimonos and the boys happi jackets.  Ann Henderson presided over a blessing for the children.  Ann truly joined in the spirit of the day and wore a kimono provide by Jane Fujioka.

 

Favorite Artist at 25th Annual Friendship and American Indian Cultural Celebration

 

Angelique was filled with good energy.  Her art was also filled with good energy, happy and moving.

Dream horses she made to ride to your dreams.

 

Cheerful jewelry to pick up your spirits!

25th Annual Friendship Powwow & American Indian Cultural Celebration

Sunday, September 7 at the Denver Art Museum

Amazing traditional dress and dance.

High energy movements captivate imagination.

These people were very patriotic and proud to serve their country. A very warm, welcoming and friendly event. Must learn more about the different tribes and cultures.

 

 

Favorite artist at Peach Festival

 

Christal Chapman was my favorite artist at the Lafayette Peach Festival, and she was fun too!

She rescues scrabble, dominoes and mah-jongg and other small game pieces from thrift stores. She then turns them into the bases for her works of art these adorable, creative and fun little pendants.

 

This is a very small sample of her work. She tells me that sometimes her projects take over her house. I hope to go and maybe watch her while she’s creating some day soon but at least go and pick out some more pendants!

She also rescues magazines and books for their art and to incorporate into her art.

Her mother also does some amazing paintings on these itty-bitty toy pieces, I was dismayed when I got home and realized I forgot to pick out one of her mother’s painted pendants. A lot of detail on a small canvas. Definitely need to hook up with Christal soon and I hope I can find and rescue some dominoes and mah-jongg pieces from the thrift store for her artwork.