The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will present its seventh biennial Kodomo No Matsuri — Children’s Day Festival — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall. ADVERTISING The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii
The Hilo-based Japanese Community Association of Hawaii will present its seventh biennial Kodomo No Matsuri — Children’s Day Festival — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today at the Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin Sangha Hall.
Admission is free and everyone is invited.
It’s a day for children to learn about the Japanese culture with hands-on activities such as bonsai, kazeguruma, kabuto hat and fish, origami, oshibana, chigiri-e, mokuhanga and takoage. Learn how to play the Japanese board game “Go,” card game hanafuda and enjoy taiko, entertainment and food.
The highlight of the day will be a Kendama competition for ages 5-17.
“We are very pleased that Dave Nagamine, owner of Razor Sports in Pearlridge Center, is sending his best Kendama experts to our event to perform and demonstrate; to conduct the Kendama competition, mini contests, and provide the prizes,” said Dennis Taniguchi, chairman of the event.
The prizes to be awarded to the top Kendama competitors are:
• First place — an Emperor Kendama worth $185.
• Second place — a Jumbo Kendama valued at $80.
• Third place — Cherry Wood Pro Model Kendama, valued at $45.
Registration for the Kendama competition begins at 11 a.m. and is limited to 150 children ages 5-17. There is no entry fee, and a large variety of Kendamas will be on sale at the event.
Japanese calligraphy done by experienced calligraphers also will be available, so you can write your name or a special thought on special Japanese shikishi board, which is made from fine handmade art paper laminated to hard board backing and edged with a strip of gold paper. There is a fee.
For more information, call JCAH at 969-6437 or email jcahawaii@yahoo.com.
