Source: Maki Kashiwaya, kmackey@k-state.edu
Web site: http://www.k-state.edu/japan
Friday, April 10, 2009
CENTRAL KANSAS JAPANESE FESTIVAL APRIL 25 AT K-STATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT JAPANESE CULTURE
MANHATTAN -- The culture of Japan will be celebrated at the Central Kansas Japanese Festival, Saturday, April 25, at Kansas State University.
The festival will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the K-State Student Union and feature Japanese dance, music, games, crafts, food and more. Admission is free.
"We encourage everyone to attend the festival since there are limited opportunities in Manhattan to get to know the Japanese culture," said Maki Kashiwaya, a senior in psychology and president of K-State's Japanese Student Association. "This is an annual event with more than 600 people attending every year. We enjoy sharing our culture with people who are from different cultural backgrounds. This will be a great opportunity to learn and enjoy Japanese culture."
The festival will start with an opening ceremony from 11-11:15 a.m. in the Union's courtyard. The ceremony will include Bon Dance and Japanese drums, or Taiko.
Japanese storyteller Kuniko Yamamoto, K-State's Japanese Yosakoi Dance Club, the Eisa Dance from the University of Kansas, Japanese magician Yasu, a Japanese drum performance, and songs and music by Japanese students and singers will be in Forum Hall and the courtyard throughout the festival.
Also during the festival, an origami table, calligraphy, Japanese fan painting table and kids' room with Japanese traditional toys will be offered in Union Station and the courtyard. Japanese candy artist Miyuki Sugimori from Disney World will be performing.
A bazaar and food sales and K-State's Anime Manga Society will be available on the Union's second floor, while the Bosco Plaza will offer Japanese food and bake sales and Japanese festival games. Other special activities include: students in K-State's Japanese language program giving speeches in Japanese, 11:15 a.m. to noon, Forum Hall; martial arts demonstration and cultural presentation, noon to 1 p.m., courtyard; tea ceremonies from 1-1:45 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m., Big 12 Room; and the finale on the stage in the courtyard, 4:45 p.m.
An information desk will be available on the ground floor, where programs also will be available. Festival events are subject to change, but will be kept up-to-date on the festival Web site at:
http://www.k-state.edu/jaa/festival/
