MendoTaiko is all about the community and having fun with taiko drumming. We met at the Exadon class in fall 2023 and have been drumming monthly since then. The Exadon is the Japanese taiko program to promote health as well as community building through drumming together. Our group has evolved from the program. Actually, we are the FIRST Exadon group in the US. Our wonderful facilitator (word she prefers), Masumi O’Brien, gave us the joy of taiko, and we are totally hooked! Thank you, Masumi! 

Getting taiko is the biggest challenge for many taiko groups in the US. We are very fortunate for that since MSCA generously let us borrow taiko (18 sets) gifted by their sister city, Omachi-Miasa. We treasure the taiko every time we play, and we cherish the friendship with a small mountain village of Miasa, Nagano. Without you, MendoTaiko cannot exist.  

We are all locals and very happy to be a part of the Mendocino Obon Festival!  THANK YOU!

Nihon Buyo is a classical Japanese dance that evolved from the traditional forms of Japanese Kabuki theatre to modern day performances, communicating a story through dance. It is through these pre-set movements and pantomime that dancers perform poems, legends or stories. Characteristics of traditional Japanese dance include toes demurely pointed in and feet sliding along the floor in small steps.

Hakata Kai was formed in 2013 after Keiko Allen received her “Shihan” certification from Nippon Minyou Buyou Rennmei in Tokyo Japan.  

They have performed at the Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco and various events in the East Bay Area. 

Aikido is a Japanese Martial Art that stresses self defense by harmonizing with an attack and controlling the attacker by joint locks or their own momentum.  Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba in the mid 1930's.  He is known as O'Sensei, or great teacher.  He had mastered several martial arts in his youth and had a very strong spiritual side as well.  O'Sensei had a realization that his martial art was not about fighting and winning, but that it was about love and harmony.  Thus, Aikido was born.

The three characters (or kanji) representing aikido are translated as follows:

• Ai - Means harmony

• Ki - Means energy or spirit, either your own, or the world's collective energy

• Do - Means the way or the approach to training that includes learning the physical movements as well as developing your whole self.

Thus, Aikido can be defined as the way of learning to harmonize with the environment we live in.  In the self defense context it means not fighting with an opponent or resisting an attack.  This is what sets Aikido apart from other martial arts and self defense systems.  The concept of accepting an attack and dealing with it without fighting is unique.  It also is counter to our very basic "fight or flight" response.  Thus, a large part of deeper Aikido training is to learn to be calm and relaxed and to be aware and alert to what is happening around you.  The other aspect of training is to learn the basic physical techniques and movements to respond to any kind of attack.

This combined approach develops your entire being, not just your physical side.  Aikido is effective for self defense, but more importantly we learn how to deal with the stresses and pressures of daily life.  Being relaxed and calm minimizes the tension, conflicts and anger that occur every day of our lives.

Aikido does not have contests and does not require just physical strength.  Thus, it is suitable for men, women and children of all ages.  Aikido practice provides healthy exercise by natural and relaxed body movements; creates self awareness of our own bodies as well as mental calmness and alertness to our surroundings; increases self confidence; and is an effective way to defend oneself.

https://mendocinoaikido.com/index.html

Dear Haiku Lovers,

The 23rd annual ukiaHaiku Festival returns to the Grace Hudson Museum Wild Gardens on Sunday, April 27th from 2–4 pm. Join us to celebrate Ukiah’s palindrome with readings of past haiku contest winners from various local luminaries followed by an all-ages open mic for those who wish to read a haiku of their choosing. The event will include shakuhachi (traditional Japanese flute) player Ron Nadeau and a short presentation by Annette Makino an accomplished haiku poet.

A haiku is a three-line poem traditionally written in a 17-syllable format of 5-7-5 and captures a fleeting moment and a quiet impression which can often go unremarked on in our busy lives. The poems resemble little word blossoms, compact and bursting with life. Originating in Japan, haiku draw attention to the passing seasons and to everyday human encounters without comment or embellishment. "Think of it as a mental snapshot, as seeing the haiku moment in your mind," Dan Barth, a former Poet Laureate of Ukiah, explains.

For more information, please contact ukiahaiku2025@gmail.com.

Love,
ukiaHaiku Committee

The 2025 ukiaHaiku festival is made possible in part by a grant for youth outreach from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and was supported by North Coast Opportunities.

The ukiaHaiku Festival is also sponsored by the Mendocino County Library, the City of Ukiah, the Grace Hudson Museum, WAVE Books, Tsadik, the Arts Council of Mendocino County, and the Ukiah Poet Laureate Committee.

https://ukiahaiku.org/

Steve Greenwood is a writer, photographer and stagehand living in Mendocino. He’s been a photographer since he was 6 years old and has been working in digital since 2002. At the Obon Festival he’ll be showing photographs and a four panel screen from a Mendocino/Miasa trip in 2017.

I’ve been making pottery on the coast for at least 45 years. I fire my work in a wood burning Anagama kiln to a very high temperature. Typically I fire for eight days to achieve layers of melted ash on my pots. The fire will decorate the pots as it flows around them in the kiln. My pots are a collaboration between myself, the clay and the fire. I make pots in the English Studio Pottery tradition with the strong influence of Japanese wood fired ceramics. 

At Taka’s Grill, located in Fort Bragg, California, the story begins with Taka, a seasoned sushi expert who transitioned from processing and selling premium Uni to creating his own vibrant sushi restaurant. This unclaimed gem is celebrated for its fresh, locally sourced fish and warm, casual atmosphere, perfect for families and groups. Patrons rave about the variety of options—including vegan and vegetarian dishes—ensuring everyone leaves satisfied. Guests enjoy exceptional service and the ability to connect with Taka himself at the sushi bar. Taka’s Grill isn't just a meal; it's a delightful experience showcasing the essence of authentic Japanese cuisine. 

https://takas-grill.res-menu.com/#about