Japan Day 2010

April 3, 2010: We went to Japan Day last year and had a great time. So off we went again. Thinking we would do better at it this year, since we knew what to expect. Somehow we always forget there'll be other people there! It was crowded! Held in a different location in an effort to give more room...we decided it was just more people shoved in. Got a quick look at the bonsai as we entered. Really, a quick look.

Found the mask maker. I never get there to watch them make one. Oh well, the finished product is much more fun anyway.

Oddly, the female demon mask did capture some of what I felt crowded in with so many people. I wish it were warm enough to hold this outside. But it's Misawa, 3rd day of April was only in the 30's.

Not sure what this fellow represents, but he's cute.

There were many booths set up where the Japanese do a quick lesson to introduce us to different aspects of the culture. Here Andi was learning about flower arranging. They have a little pedestal in the water with little spikes, the flower stems are set on them. Of course it is done with precision that I would never be able to master.


Below: Andi with her finished product. Unfortunately we didn't get to bring home the whole stand. We did get to take the flowers home though. They just don't look the same in my Tupperware plastic drinking cup.

There were demonstrations of some traditional instruments. This is the sheet music (above) for the "Koto" a Japanese Harp

Now, of course we must have a definition....."Koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument derived from China. Is about 71 inches long and made from Kiri wood. They have 13 strings that are strung over 13 movable bridges along the width of the instrument. Players can adjust the string p[itches by moving these bridges before playing and use three finger picks (thumb, indes and middle fingers) to pluck strings. Those strings were made by silk threads back in the day but today most of them are made by polyester. Koto was played by Emperor's family at the palace as their entertainment."


Below: Andi getting a lesson in how to play.

The following videos.....Andi learning to play Koto

and two cuts from the Thunder Drum Music