2016 / Oshugatsu (New Year’s Day) in Little Tokyo events, Jan, 1

Forwarded for the Japanese Chamber of Commerce

Japanese Chamber of Commerce to Showcase 18th Annual New Year Celebration in Little Tokyo

Community gets together to promote Japanese New Year’s Day

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Weller Court

Second Street and San Pedro

10:50 am: Kick-off Taiko Drums by the Taiko Center of Los Angeles

11:00 am: Opening Ceremony with Greetings and Sake Barrel Breaking, LAPD Helicopter Flyover

11:15 am: Taiko Drum Performance: Satori Daiko, Claremont Taiko and koto artist Yukiko Matsuyama

11:25 am: Lion Dance “Shishimai”

11:35 am: Mochi-maki #1, Rice cake give away by Nisei Week Queen and Court

11:40 am: Calligraphy Demonstration by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu-kai

11:55 am: Aikido by Sanbukan

12:25 pm: Minyo & Odori (Folk music and dance) by Matsutoyo-kai

1:10 pm: Koto Performance by Awaya Kai

1:30 pm: Shorinji Kempo by Shorinji Kempo

1:50 pm: Kendo Dojo by LA Kendo Dojo

2:15 pm: Tsugaru Shamisen (three-string) by Naoki Atkins

2:30 pm: Mochi-maki #2, Rice cake give away by Japanese Chamber of Commerce officers and directors, and LA Kimono Club

2:35 pm: Kimono  Fashion Show by LA Kimono Club

3:05 pm: Closing

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Japanese Village Plaza

Between First and Second Streets near Central Avenue

12:01 pm: Kick-off Taiko Drums by the Taiko Center of Los Angeles

12:10 pm: Opening Ceremony with Greeting by Japanese Chamber of Commerce’s president and Consul General of Japan

12:25 pm: Mochi-maki #1, Rice cake give away by Nisei Week Queen and Court

12:30 pm: Taiko Drums & Lion Dance “Shishimai” by Satori Daiko, Claremont Taiko and koto artist Yukiko Matsuyama

12:55 pm: Tsugaru Shamisen (three-string) by Naoki Atkins

1:45 pm: Minyo & Odori (Folk Song & Dance) by Matsutoyo-kai

2:30 pm: Aikido by Sanbukan

3:25 pm: Closing

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Frances Hashimoto Plaza

Across the street from Japanese Village Plaza, south entrance on Second Street

11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Experience the Japanese Oshogatsu (New Year’s Day) culture with children through interactive and hands-on demonstrations of traditional Japanese activities.

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Experience the Japanese way of celebrating the New Year of 2016 in the heart of Southern California on January 1st.

From entertainment, food, children’s cultural activities and a sake fest, it is one of the most exciting events to take place in the Japanese community.

“Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo” will take place in Little Tokyo’s Weller Court, Japanese Village Plaza and the Francis Hashimoto Plaza from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The event will feature traditional Japanese food, entertainment and cultural activities such as mochi making demonstration, a kimono fashion show, sumo wrestling and the list goes on.

The New Year Celebration in Little Tokyo is organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

With the support from the Consul General of Japan, the Nisei Week court and various community members, the organizers want to introduce the Japanese New Year and its traditions to the people of Southern California.

“New Year’s day in Japan is a very important day; it is the first day of the year and we can all start fresh and celebrate the new year,” says Kitty Sankey, President of JCCSC. “We are very excited to showcase how Japanese celebrate the New Year.”

For more information, contact the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 244 South San Pedro St. Suite 410, Los Angeles, CA 90012, (213) 626-3067, www.jccfsc.org