Every two years, the East Hawaii Japanese-American community celebrates its heritage in a big way.
The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii is sponsoring its biennial Japanese Culture Day, or Bunka No Hi, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Sangha Hall, 424 Kilauea Ave.
The continuing theme of the culture day is “Mottainai3!” Mottainai is a Japanese word that means, “no waste,” or “it is a shame to waste.” Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Featured events are the recycled art contest, Shichi-go-san kimono dressing and an evening performance by the Buzen City Kagura and Jazz group.
The day will start at 9:30 a.m. with a short omikoshi parade. The omikoshi is a portable shrine carried during many festivals in Japan. It usually resembles a miniature building with pillars, walls and roof.
“At the last parade, brave local men and women carried the omikoshi with enthusiasm and spirit shouting ‘wasshoi, wasshoi,’” said Jan Higashi, JCAH president.
The parade starting point is at the mauka parking lot of Aupuni Center on Kilauea Avenue and ends at Sangha Hall. Participants include 2015 Japanese Cultural Treasures, individuals who have made significant contributions to the preservation and perpetuation of Japanese culture and arts in East Hawaii; Puna Taiko; martial arts groups; community groups; special guests; and others.
The Bunka No Hi program and entertainment will start immediately after the parade at Sangha Hall, featuring:
• The honoring of 2015 Japanese Cultural Treasures.
• Recognition of JCAH members ages 90 and older.
• Sanshin shihan (master instructor) Grant “Sandaa” Murata.
• Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko.
• Hilo Hongwanji Judo Club.
• Hilo Kobukan Kendo Club.
• Other demonstrations and displays will include moku hanga, tea ceremony, mochi-tsuki, bonsai, ikebana, kumihimo, chigiri-e and the Buzen City Kagura and Jazz performers.
• Experienced calligraphers will be on hand to write names or message for a fee.
• A limited supply of Mottainai3 T-shirts will be on sale along with a food concession.
One of the most popular activities is the Shichi-go-san kimono dressing and picture-taking event. Shichi means seven, go means five and san means three in Japanese. Experienced kimono dressers, including Emiko Sumiyama, who learned the art of kimono dressing from the Hakubi Kimono Academy in Japan, will dress girls, ages 3 and 7, in beautiful kimono, obi and accessories, while boys, age 5, will be dressed in a hakama. There is a fee of $45 for JCAH members or $50 for nonmembers, which includes dressing, photograph taken by an experienced photographer and a 4×6 photo in a frame.
Continuing with the theme “Mottainai,” a recycled art contest sponsored by Mr. K’s Recycling & Redemption also is part of the day’s program. Kamaboko sticks, tofu containers, foam food trays, egg cartons — go green and turn them into “recycled art.”
Entries will be judged on appearance, design, originality/creativity, workmanship and utilization of recycled materials. The recycled art will be judged before the event. The categories are children ages 9 and younger, ages 10-17 and adults 18 and older. Artwork will be accepted from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 through Nov. 4 at the Hawaii Printing Corporation, 714 Kanoelehua Ave.
Winners will be announced and prizes presented at the event, along with a special People’s Choice Award.
To obtain application forms and rules for the Mottainai recycled art contest and Shichi-go-san dressing event, call the JCAH office at 969-6437; email jcahawaii@yahoo.com or visit www.jcahawaii.org.
Punctuating the day of events is an evening performance by the Buzen City Kagura and Jazz group at Sangha Hall. At 6 p.m., the 36 performing artists from Fukuoka, Japan, will present ancient kagura (dance) fused with jazz music. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. General admission is $10; children 9 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at KTA Super Stores at Puainako Center and downtown Hilo.
The Japanese Community Association of Hawaii, is a nonprofit organization with a membership of nearly 400 families. The association was formed 43 years ago to promote and perpetuate the Japanese culture and arts in East Hawaii and to foster international relationships with Japanese citizens and organizations.
