The ritual shooting of the arrow, a purification ceremony, performance by IKKYU of the Los Angeles Kyudo Archery Group. (Courtesy of JACCC)
To celebrate the new year, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center presents its annual Oshogatsu festivities with its signature New Year program, Kotohajime, or The First Performance of the New Year on Sunday, January 3, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Aratani Theatre at the JACCC campus, along with the 18th Annual Shikishi Exhibition from Jan. 3 to Feb. 21, 2016 in the Doizaki Gallery in the JACCC building at 244 South San Pedro Street, in the historic Little Tokyo area of downtown Los Angeles.
Every January, Little Tokyo becomes the center for celebrating the Japanese New Year in Southern California, with the JACCC heading up the festivities with programs that invigorate the spirit and imagination.
Literally meaning “ the beginning of things, ” Kotohajime will celebrate the Year of the Monkey with the theme titled Hatsu Yama or “First Mountain.”
Curated by JACCC’s Artistic Director Hirokazu Kosaka, the original Kotohajime performance is a visual delight and artistic achievement, with dazzling performances and live music, accompanied by an award-winning set design collaboration with visual artist Carol Kim.
This fascinating New Year Celebration will be featuring performances by the Kinnara Gagaku /Bugaku, traditional Japanese dances by Bando Hidesomi, music by soprano singer, Keiko Takeshita, and Korean Classical Music Institute of America.
The ritual shooting of the arrow, a purification ceremony, will be performed by IKKYU of the Los Angeles Kyudo Archery Group.
Tickets are $20 for general, $18 for JACCC members.
JACCC’s popular New Year exhibit 18th Annual Shikishi Exhibition is an Open Call for community participation creates this rich display of the collective voice of our diverse community. The exhibit will run from Sunday, Jan. 3 – Feb. 21 2016.
Shikishi are Japanese congratulatory cards of standard size, which has been used in Japan since the twelfth century for painting and writing poetry. Today, these shikishi are given as gifts to make a memorable or special occasion, and the use of this format is the requirement for participation in the exhibit.
For more information, call (213) 628-2725 or visit www.jaccc.org
