Japanese folk music performance by Matsutoyo Kai at Torrance Bunka Sai.
Torrance Sister City Association presents its 45th annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival on Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. at Madrona Ave.
This annual event features authentic demonstrations of Japanese dance, instrumental music, folk singing, taiko drums, calligraphy, origami, and martial arts including: kendo, judo, aikido and naginata.
Ikebana (flower arranging), bonsai and Girl’s Day dolls on display. Kamishibai story-telling in English and Japanese, games and crafts for kids. A fun and educational event for families and all ages.
Free admission and free parking. Japanese sweets (mochi & Okinawa dango doughnut), yakisoba noodles, curry rice, spam musubi and BBQ plate lunches available for purchase.
Proceeds from the event benefit TSCA’s student cultural exchange program, which sends up to eight students and an adult leader from Torrance to Kashiwa, Japan for three weeks in July.
TSCA will host eight Kashiwa students and an adult leader during August. TSCA is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting goodwill and friendship between the people of Torrance and Kashiwa Japan. This year TSCA celebrates its 45th anniversary of its sister city relationship. www.torrancesistercity.org
2018 Cultural Performances Schedule
Saturday, April 7
Indoor Stage – Emcee: Sarah Donaldson
11:00 Tea Ceremony – Traditional art of the preparation and presentation by Yuko Kubo, Urasenke School
11:40 Koto Music – Traditional 13-stringed instrument played by Yuki Yasuda Koto Zanmai Ensemble.
12:15 Anime contest winners announcement – Lori Eurich & Sarah Donaldson
12:30 Tea Ceremony – Traditional art of the preparation and presentation of tea by Kasetsu Kubota, Edosenke School
1:10 Taiko – Taiko Center of LA: traditional wooden drum ensemble
1:50 Judo – South Bay Judo: meaning “gentle way,” judo uses skill, technique and timing
2:30 Dance – Fujima Seiyumi Kai traditional and classical dance
3:10 Naginata – Torrance Naginata: a martial art of power and grace using sweeping movement with a pole weapon
3:45 Dance – Bando Hidesomi traditional and classical dance
4:20 Taiko – L.A. Taiko Institute and Unit One of Asano Taiko USA: traditional wooden drum ensem
Assembly Room
11:30 – 3:30 Kamishibai – Story reading
12:00 Ikebana – Flower arranging lesson by Minamitani Semho & Ikenobo Kai
1:00 – 4:00 Calligraphy – Shodo hands-on calligraphy demonstration
2:30 Bonsai– Demonstration of bonsai and saikei by Jason Saito
Outdoor Stage – Torino Plaza
1:45 Karate – Wado Ryu Karate-do, Torrance YMCA
Sunday, April 8
Indoor Stage – Emcee: Trisha Takasugi
11:00 Calligraphy – Ink-dipped brush panting of Japanese characters by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai
11:40 Folk Music – Matsutoyo Kai singers and musicians
12:20 Dance – Mai No Kai, Bando Hiromiya traditional and classical dance
1:00 Shakuhachi – Shoshi Kanokohata, Shawnee Schroeder & Kozue Matsumoto play flutes
1:40 Aikido – Torrance Aikido: martial art that focus on self-defense, physical fitness & spiritual awareness
2:20 Dance – Nakamura Narumi traditional and classical dance
3:00 Koto – Traditional 13-stringed instrument played by Awaya Kai & Yoko Awaya
3:40 Shakuhachi – Shoshi Kanokohata, Shawnee Schroeder & Kozue Matsumoto play flutes
4:20 Taiko – Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (Okinawa style) traditional wooden drum ensemble
Assembly Room
11:30 – 3:30 Kamishibai – Story reading
12:00 Bonsai – Introduction to bonsai by Robert King
12:00 – 3:00 Calligraphy – Shodo hands-on calligraphy demonstations
Torino Plaza
12:00 – 5:00 Amekaiku – Candy sculpture artistry by Shan Ichiyanagi
Program subject to change without notice.
