Free Demos and Displays in the Pagoda
Inspired by Japanese architecture when it was built in 1914, the Pagoda is the focal point of Point Defiance Park’s Japanese Garden. Surrounded by a Japanese garden featuring pools, a waterfall, a footbridge, sakura cherry trees, an authentic Shinto shrine and Tori Gate presented by Tacoma’s Sister City in Kitakyushu Japan, and home to several interactive displays during the event.
Access to the Point Defiance Pagoda is free.
Ikebana International Chapter #147:
Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, will be on display in the Pagoda. Visit with members from the Tacoma-Olympia Chapter of Ikebana International and view their spectacular flower arrangements.
Tacoma Kitakyushu Sister City Display:
Step inside the Pagoda to learn about Tacoma’s Japanese Sister City through an interactive display presented by the Tacoma Kitakyushu Sister City Committee.
Ikebana Arrangements
Ikebana International (I.I.) is a worldwide, nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of ikebana. The organization was founded in 1956 by the late Ellen Gordon Allen whose dream was to create an association uniting the people of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of ikebana. Today, that dream has spread to over 44 countries/areas, with 138 chapters and a membership of around 7,000 persons.
The motto of the association is “Friendship through Flowers” and any person or organization accepting that objective is welcome to join us as a member of Ikebana International.
Ikebana International does not teach or endorse any single type of ikebana. It is an association that encompasses many different schools. The members are people from various parts of the world who enjoy and practice ikebana and have interests in other traditional Japanese art forms. Some schools stress classical styles; others focus on free style, and some a blend of both. Our members gain the opportunity to learn about ikebana of many different schools – their inspirations, styles, philosophy, history, and techniques – We benefit from those interactions through meetings, demonstrations, exhibitions and other events. Another unique feature of Ikebana International is that the organization was founded by and continues to be administered almost entirely by volunteers.
Sister City Display
Tacoma’s Sister City since 1959 the Kitakyushu area serves as a nucleus of industry, economy and culture for Western Japan. In 1963 the five cities of Moji, Kokura, Wakamatsu, Yahata, and Tobata were amalgamated to form Kitakyushu, with a population of over 1 million. The city is framed by its natural beauty with clear blue seas to the green, lush mountains in the background.
This city has many festivals, which date back into ancient history. Especially noteworthy are the three big Gion festivals that decorate the summer months and draw visitors from all over Japan.
From its beginnings as the birthplace of Japan’s iron and steel industry, Kitakyushu has grown into one of the largest iron and steel producing cities in Japan. In recent years, the city’s value-added types of industry, such as the general machinery and electrical machinery industries, have been growing and the steel and raw materials industries have been diversifying into high processing and high value-added industries.
On August of 2003, The “Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center” opened in 2003. Citizens and visitors are able to enjoy entertainment ranging from local low-budget theater groups to world-class orchestras. The center offers three different-sized halls with the versatility to accommodate a Kabuki play to a Broadway performance.
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