Dear Neighbors and Friends, On behalf of the Nihon Matsuri planning and organizing committee, I am pleased to welcome you to the Fourth Annual Nihon Matsuri (Japan Festival). The committee has spent countless hours with the goal to provide the community with a memorable day of Japanese culture and traditions. This is an opportunity for the community of Japanese ancestry to share their culture, history, talents, and traditions with our neighbors. Admission is free.
We hope you enjoy the Japanese exhibits, crafts and vendor booths, arts, tea ceremony, entertainment, children’s craft booths, and cuisine. Since the inception of the festival, local and surrounding community members participate in the entertainment and they contribute greatly to the festival’s success. You more than likely will be watching someone you know on stage and will be entertained to the fullest - whether it’s by an exciting martial art movement or a graceful Japanese dancer.
We are pleased to highlight the martial art of kendo as part of the 2008 festival. There will be two performances during the festival for guest martial artists: Niten Ichiryu Musashi-Kai, highest ranked kendo and Iaido swordsmen from Japan - developed in the 1600s by Samurai and philosopher, Miyamoto Musashi (a schedule of the entertainment will soon be available on our website).
If you would like to learn more about Musashi-kai kendo, please join a free workshop on Friday, April 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City.
The SLC Film Center will also co-sponsor a film Miyamoto Musashi featuring world-renown Mifune Toshiro on Saturday, April 19, 2008, Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, 3:00 p.m., followed by a demonstration from Utah kendo group.
For individuals who are interested in a special seminar to develop and refine your kendo skills. please visit: http://www.classicalkendo.org/seminar/
The Nihon Matsuri committee invites and welcomes volunteers to assist with the festival. If you are interested, please click here. Contributions are also appreciated (click here) to sustain the success of future festivals.The Nihon Matsuri committee invites and welcomes volunteers to assist with the festival. If you are interested, please click here.
Contributions are also appreciated (click here) to sustain the success of future festivals.
If this is your first visit or a return visit, thank you for your interest and support. We look forward to seeing you there and hope you enjoy a day of festivities and fun. Jan Aramaki
Chair, Nihon Matsuri Committee Funded in part by the Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts and recipient of Salt Lake County’s Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) grant. |