Come and celebrate Japanese culture by attending the Central Kansas
Japanese Festival! Experience and learn about Japan's traditional arts
and performances, delight in its snacks and foods. Activities and
workshops your whole family can enjoy. Brought to you by JAA and JSA.
Free admission to the community!

Performance

Yosakoi Dance
Traditional dances performed by the award-winnings KSU Yosakoi Dance Club. This version originates in Shikoku, one of the islands of Japan. Come enjoy the colorful and high-spirited performance!

Performance

Storytelling
A native of Japan, Kuniko Yamamoto, started performing professionally in her hometown of Osaka where she grew up studying traditional dance, music and theater. The last decade she has been presenting her programs throughout the United States. Charming Japanese folktales are combined with traditional musical instruments, magical masks, origami and mime to create storytelling that will have audience spellbound in their seats. Stories are carefully selected to portray the culture and moral perspective of Japan.

The audience is encouraged to compare Japanese and American tales, arts and the cultural elements.

Performance

Candy Art

Demonstration

Tea Ceremony
If you've come to our festival in the past, then you've probably been to the elegant Tea Ceremony presented by Mrs. Ohno and her students. This year you have the chance to make your own green tea and try it yourself. Jeff Nelson will serve green tea. Come join us for a cup of Japanese tea.

Performance

Eisa
Okinawa Eisa group has been formed in January, 2009, and we have performed mainly at the University of Kansas.
Eisa is a traditional Japanese drum dance originating from the island of Okinawa. Eisa is traditionally performed after the Obon holiday during which families celebrate their ancestors. The dance was originally meant as a cheerful and energetic sendoff for the spirits visiting during the Obon season.

Performance

Japanese Songs
Have you ever listen to traditional Japanese songs or Japanese pops?
Japanese students from K-State will perform Japanese traditional music through song and instrumental performances.

Activities/Workshops

Igo & Shogi
These games have long been played in Japan; shogi
is somewhat akin to chess, and igo is a bit like
checkers - both are quite enjoyable. Igo in particular
experienced a revival in popularity thanks to the popular manga
"Hikaru no Go." Come learn how to play, play
against your friends or anyone who dares to challenge you.

Demonstration

Aikido
Have you ever been interested in Martial Arts? If so, don't miss this demonstration of Aikido, which means “way of harmony with the universe. The KSU Aikido Club will be demonstrating this modern, non-violent, but highly effective method of self-defense in the Courtyard.

Activities/Workshops

Anime and Manga
Japanese comics (manga) and cartoons (anime) are growing in popularity here in the United States. See what the buzz is about, find out what's new. Hosted by KSU Anime and Manga Society. Ages 7 and up, due to titles being subtitled only.

Activities/Workshops

Bon Dance
Bon-Odori (Bon dancing): This dance is performed all over Japan during the days of Obon, from August 13 to 15. Originally, its aim was to meet with dead ancestors while dancing in a circle, similar to other ritual dances seen around the world. Today, Japanese people simply enjoy dancing to share the local tradition with others. Bon Odori songs are different from place to place within Japan.

Activities/Workshops

Calligraphy
To many, the beautiful art of shodou (Calligraphy) is one of the defining characteristics of Japanese culture. Watch the art in practice as examples of Japanese characters are written, and then take the time to try it yourself. Staff will help you learn how to write whatever you want! Don't miss out on this chance to try brush-writing for yourself.

Also, you will be able to make your own uchiwa (fan) with Japanese characters!

Activities/Workshops

Culture Presentation
How much do you know about Japan? After this presentation, you will know the tip of how Japanese culture has changed. Also, you can understand the backgrounds of the various Japanese dances, which should be available to watch in this festival. No wordy explanation! Enjoy deepening your knowledge!

Activities/Workshops

Food Sales
Have you had some food and sweets today? Don't miss to enjoy taste of Japan at the Bosco Student Plaza. Delicious Japanese foods await you, so help yourself to Rice-Balls, Mochi cake, and Green Tea Parfait. All foods cost just $1.

Activities/Workshops

Kid's room&Traditional Toys
Come to the kid's room to play with traditional Japanese toys, such as spinning-tops, lucky laughs, and ring and pin. Get and collect stamps on your card by learning how to play them. Both kids and adults can enjoy playing with those toys. All of the toys are easy to play with, so feel free to come join us!

Activities/Workshops

Origami
The brilliant art of folding paper. Learn how to make a myriad of paper objects, from cranes to hats. There really is no end to the clever things you can make. Come and try it out! Also, the students in the Japanese Language Program are working on a special origami project this year. During the festival, Sembazuru or a thousand paper cranes will be completed and sent to Hiroshima Memorial Park later.

Activities/Workshops

Bazaar
The marketplace where some Japanese items are sold. As Japanese items, we sell origami, chop-sticks, Japanese fan, Japanese traditional toys, etc. Also, we have really cool design festival T-shirts.

About Festival

Japan may be an ocean away, but Kansas State University will be celebrating this culture by hosting the 2009 Central Kansas Japanese Festival.

The festival will be from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (workshops and activities: 11am-3:30pm, performances: 3:30-5pm), April 12 at the K-State Student Union. All events are free and the public is welcome.

We will have a Japanese story teller Kuniko Yamamoto, K-state Japanese Yosakoi Dance club, KU Eisa Dance (Japanese Okinawan dance) group, a Japanese Magician Yasu, Taiko (Japanese Drum) performance, and songs and music played by Japanese students and singers at stage performances in the Forum hall and court yard.

Also there will be activities going on during the festival from 11am till 3:30pm (before the final stage) in the Union Station, court yard, 2nd floor, and Bosco plaza.

Union station and court yard: Origami table(folding paper), Calligraphy & bodypaint & japanese fan paint table, and kids room with japanese traditional toys. A Japanese candy artist Miyuki Sugimori from Disney World is also preforming candy art!

Union 2nd floor: Bazaar and food sales in concuorse, tea ceremony in Big 12 room, Anime manga society in room 214 or 213.

Bosco plaza: Japanese Food & bake sales and Japanese festival games.

We will be having a registration desk at somewhere in ground floor, for people to get programs and other information.

The addmission is free, but as you can tell from descriptions above, some activities will charge some money, such as bazaar, food sales, japanese festival games.

Performance

Taiko
Ki Daiko is comprised of students and alumni from the Olathe District High Schools. The group was formed in the spring of 2004. The name "Ki Daiko" has a very special meaning and captures the spirit of the group. Ki means "energy" and Daiko or Taiko means "big drum". These students approach their practices and performances with great energy. Their performances are memorable and filled with excitement. Their repertoire is varied and includes original compositions, various instruments and even dance.

Performance

Japanese Speech
Six students of the Japanese Language Program @K-State will present the speech:
1. RIGHT DECISIONS by Sam Denvir
2. SECRET POST by Cassandra Cuppy
3. MY GRANDMOTHER'S LIFE by Tyler Dixon
4. A NEW WAY by Derrik Wiggins
5. IRREPLACEABLE MEMORIES by Kim Scaler (Kokuyo Award Winner*)
6. HIS DREAM, MY DREAM by Yunhee Park (1st Place Winner in Category III*).

All of the speeches will be presented with a subtitle.

*The 23rd Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest at Consulate General of Japan in Chicago.

Performance

Magic Show
Yasu Ishida has been performing his Japan themed magic shows at many venues, theaters and cultural events including at Consulate General of Japan in New York, National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, African Night in North Dakota and Celebration of Nations in Minnesota. He is a graduating this May from Minnesota State University Moorhead with theatre arts degree. His dream is to become a professional culture performer to build a "bridge" between Asian and American cultures and people. Recently, he has won Greater Kansas City Amateur Talent contest with his Japanese Four Seasons act.