4/20-21: “Bunka-Sai” Japanese Cultural Event to be held in Torrance, April 20 and 21, 11AM – 5PM
Japanese food, cultural performances, demonstrations and exhibits, Asian crafts and more—-all for your enjoyment at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center on April 20-21 from 11 am to 5 pm.
Admission to the 49th annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival, or “the best Japanese cultural event in Southern California,” is free to the public.
The Ken Miller Recreation Center will feature stage presentations ranging from Japanese dance, traditional music, martial arts, kimono, and calligraphy, as well as the opening and closing each day to the thunder and excitement of several taiko ensembles.
Food booths with BBQ teriyaki, curry and rice, yakisoba noodles, cotton candy, shave ice, spam musubi, and the popular dango (donuts) will be available for sale.
Japanese cultural enthusiasts will be mesmerized by the cultural arts exhibits and demonstrations which will include bonsai, Ikenobo flower arrangement, kamishibai storytelling and hands-on workshops in Japanese ink calligraphy and origami.
An Asian-themed craft fair will delight shoppers with an array of artistic creations.
The world renowned “Amezaiku” master, Shaun Ichiyanagi, is scheduled to make an appearance on Sunday. Ichiyanagi’s famed candy sculptures will be on sale as he demonstrates his unique craft and creates items on request.
Because he is booked for private events (many Hollywood celebrities) and travels internationally due to demand, he makes rare appearances at community events, but is pleased to support the Torrance Sister City Association’s festival, which he has described as “the best.”
The Torrance Cultural Arts Center is located at 3341 Torrance Blvd (at Madrona Avenue) where free parking is available. Enter the festival through the doors of the Toyota Meeting Hall next to the George Nakano Theatre.
Proceeds from the two-day festival benefit the annual student exchange program of the Torrance Sister City Association, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary of sister city friendship with Kashiwa in Chiba prefecture. Visit the website at https://torrancesistercity.org/ .
