Full Moon Blossom Festival in Sausalito Benefits Japanese Student Exchange
The Campbell Hall Garden in Sausalito was transformed into a Japanese tea garden last Saturday night with lanterns and lyrical Japanese music, as well as the beat of Taiko drummers. Elegant women wandered the grounds in kimonos sipping sake straight from the sake barrel that was broken in a traditional ceremony. Following the sushi and sake laden reception, guests enjoyed a Japanese feast compliments of Yoshi Tome (of Sushi Ran fame) and his wife Suzie Buchholz.
The sold-out event, on a warm summer night, was a benefit for the Sausalito Sakaide Sister City student exchange program and also an opportunity for the community to warmly welcome the new Japanese Consul General in San Francisco, Mr. Masato Watanabe, who was in attendance with his wife. The student exchange program, in its 26th year, is a cultural and educational exchange between the Cities of Sausalito and Sakaide. High school students from Marin County travel to Sakaide, Japan and in the intervening years, students from the City of Sakaide come to Marin County.
During their 10-day stay, students are treated to a wide variety of experiences and activities, learning about life in the respective countries and making life-long connections and friends. Eleven students from Sakaide will be hosted by families in Sausalito July 23 – August 4. The program is still looking for host families so if you’re interested in participating in this remarkable exchange program, contact E.V.Gilbreath at eveleyngilbreath@mac.com
Meanwhile, domo arigato to the program chairs for a delightfully rich cultural experience; guests were learning traditional Japanese dance on stage and Ikebana flower arranging as well!
