Celebrate the New Year the Japanese way
Advertiser Staff
Bonsai, origami, storytelling, traditional tea ceremony, anime, mochi and plate lunches. We could go on and on, but you'll just have to see for yourself all the wonders of the New Year's 'Ohana Festival tomorrow at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i and Mo'ili'ili Field.
The annual festival, presented by the center, showcases much Japanese culture and a diversity of entertainment. There's also a craft fair, book sale and games, rides and make-and-take activities for the kids.
On the menu: okonomiyaki (layers of veggies, noodles and meat stuffed between a crepe and fried egg); several kinds of mochi; KC Drive Inn's famous Waffle Dog; andagi and more.
On the entertainment lineup: A stage in the cultural center's courtyard will focus on Japanese and Okinawan performances, including folk and classical dance, sword and fan dance, koto and shamisen; the other stage, at Mo'ili'ili Field, will feature diverse sounds including music by Junior Kekuewa Jr. and Sam Jam Spencer and the Royal Hawaiian Band.
THERE'S MORE
The cultural center's first Cha Dogu (Japanese tea implements) Sale, featuring bowls, water containers, tea caddies and other special utensils, launches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at the gallery on the center's first floor. Prices range from $20 to $250. Proceeds will go toward maintaining the center's teahouse on the fourth floor and to three tea-ceremony schools (Edosenke Fuhakukai Hawaii, Omotesenke Domonkai Hawaii and Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii).
The sale continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, through Jan. 26. Admission is free.