Thank you for a successful Moon Viewing!
Thank you everyone for another successful Moon Viewing at the Seattle Japanese Garden!
Despite the afternoon starting with autumn like misty wind, our annual Moon Viewing on Saturday September 9th was another magical event.
Photo by Aurora Santiago
An evening of music and dance performance, tea ceremonies, luminary lighting and haiku contest was enjoyed by over 300 guests this year. Guests also reported that an owl also visited the garden during the night and watched the festivities from high up on a tree.
There were moon inspired haiku displayed along the garden paths. Guests also enjoyed dining delicious bento box dinners under a hidden Moon. Guests reported that an owl also visited the garden during the night and watched the festivities from high up on a tree.
Tanya McDonald and Michael Welch of the Haiku Northwest
Total of 122 haiku entries were judged by Tanya McDonald and Michael Welch of the Haiku Northwest during the evening. Below are the top entries.
If you are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and have not received your prizes, please contact us. Congratulations everyone and thank you for participating the event!
First Place
lantern in the tree
it could be the only moon
we will see tonight
Sarah Aday
Second Place
hidden moon
I cannot see you—
looking still matters
Brian C.
Third Place
consider the moon . . .
the audience is not unlike
the koi
Russell Nielson [spelling of last name unclear, perhaps Nelson or Nukor]
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):
waiting,
for the autumn moon
another bowl of tea
Gwen Stamm
needles outstretched
the crone-backed tree
beckons the moon
Samuel Levy
orange moon—
can autumn fires
keep me from your gaze?
Karen Radcliff
the moon hides
behind the clouds
waiting to shine
Diana Danzberger
otsumi for 100 people
if the moon were here
it would be too crowded
Trevor
empty bento box
chilly breeze ruffles my scarf
waiting for the moon
Nina Marini