Press Releases 2009
- For Immediate Release -
32nd Anniversary of the Nikkei
Matsuri-San Jose Japantown on April 26
Like Cherry Blossom Festivals across the nation, the San Jose Japantown Nikkei Matsuri is the San Jose Japanese American community's Spring celebration of the colorful and unique Japanese American heritage and culture.
This
year is the 32nd year of the festival and the festival continues to be
vibrant and dynamic. San Jose Taiko drummers begin the festival with
the pulsing heartbeat of the taiko with a morning stroll through
Japantownwhile the festival prepares for a day long celebration. This
has been a tradition in recent years, as the taiko drummers encourage
morning runners participating in the Yu-Ai Kai Run, which also takes
place that morning. Following the taiko start of the festival will be
the traditional raising of the koi, a gift to the Nikkei Matsuri
committee from San Jose's sister city, Okayama,
Japan.
A large 300 member delegation participated in Nikkei Matsuri in 2007,
to celebrate the 50th anniversary sister city relationship between San
Jose and Okayama.
Nikkei
Matsuri, means ‘Japanese American festival’. Over 30 years ago,
“Nikkei Matsuri” was one of several ethnic community celebrations
planned for the City of San Jose’s Bicentennial celebration. The Nikkei
Matsuri was the response by the Japanese American community to share
their culture with the City. This celebration was so successful, that
the festival has continued since then. The Nikkei Matsuri committee,
led by President, Warren Hayashi, is composed of representatives of
several non-profit organizations. Together, they coordinate a day long
festival of foods, performing arts, cultural exhibits and arts and
crafts with the goal of sharing and appreciating Japanese American
culture in the heart of San Jose’s Japantown. This is truly a
community-wide event with many of the organizations in Japantown
actively participating in the celebration.
Nikkei Matsuri Board of Directors include: Jimi Yamaichi, Warren Hayashi, Norman Tanaka, Larry Kaneshiro, Victor Imahara, Pam Yoshida, Sharon Siegenthaler, Kathy Linderman, Frank Tao, Vi Onishi, Ruby Kobashi, Gordon Koo and Kristi Conley Brockie.
This year's participating organizations include the CYS (Community Youth Services), Nisei Ski Club, Northern California Kendo Federation, San Jose Buddhist Church (Church, Venture Scouts, Cub Scouts, Japanese Language School and the Buddhist Women's Association-Fujinkai), San Jose Judo Club, San Jose-Okayama Sister City Organization, Inc., Wesley United Methodist Church (Youth Group and Church) West Valley JACL and YJA (Young Japanese Americans), and features food booths with Japanese theme delicacies as teriyaki shortribs and chicken, gyoza, bota mochi, udon, ika fry, yaki soba, manju and spam musubi. Many 'non-traditional' Japanese items such as teriyaki burgers, ice cream, chicken salad, shave ice, and strawberry shortcake are also sold.
Live entertainment on two stages will be
featured throughout the day. Groups of all ages will feature a variety
of talent. Many of these groups are from the local San Jose community
organizations. Performances by the following groups include: Marimo-Kai
(koto), Japanese Classical Dance (students of Madame Bando Misayasu and
Madame Hanayagi Michiya), Sakuhachi (Japanese Music Institute and
Yangquin-100 string dulcimer (Junko Aono), CYS Dancers, Chidori Band,
Wesley Jazz Ensemble and San Jose Taiko.
Over fifty arts and craft vendors from throughout the
Western United States and Hawaii
will be on hand to display their unique handcrafted arts. Many of
these are one of a kind and cannot be found in retail shops. It is a
rare opportunity to see so many contemporary arts and crafts in one
location.
Cultural displays include exhibitors of : Bei Koku Shodo Kenkyukai (Sachiko Endo), Kashu Suiseki (Ted Kameda), Ikebana Shogetsu (students of Shoka Narimatsu & Kika Shibata) and Ikebana Ikenobo (students of Mayumi Kiyohara, and Joyce Kubota), Bonsai (San Jose Bonsai Club-Ken Azuma) and Kimekomi Dolls (students of the Mataro Miyabi Kai-Northern California Shibu-Masanori Wasano).
In
addition to the Nikkei Matsuri events, local community organizations
will host activities during the day. These events include: Yu Ai Kai
(Nihonmachi Run' and Health Fair), Japantown Business Association
(weekly Farmer's Market on Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh
Street), and Suzume No Gakko (children's cultural program, will host
children's crafts at the Wesley Methodist Church during the festival).
All are welcome to enjoy this event of food, culture and fun for all ages. Organizers encourage festival goers to plan to spend the entire day in order to fully enjoy the festival.
Nikkei Matsuri will be from 9:30 am until 4:00 PM with all festivities taking place in the heart of San Jose Japantown (on Jackson Street between Fourth and Sixth Streets). Admission is free. Information and schedules of performances are available at the Nikkei Matsuri web-site: www.nikkeimatsuri.org or by contacting Warren Hayashi at (408) 241-0900.
The San Jose Mercury and the City of San Jose, Office of Cultural Affairs are a proud sponsors of the Nikkei Matsuri.