“Arizona Matsuri, Festival of Japan” has just wrapped up its 29th festival. Welcoming upwards of 60,000 visitors, Matsuri has become a showcase for performing talent and a gathering place for Japan lovers, from traditional arts practitioners to more and more pop culture fans. On February 23 and 24, Matsuri again transformed downtown Phoenix’s Heritage and Science Park into a hub of Japan-related culture and activities.
This year’s Matsuri had the theme of O-mochi (pounded rice) and featured mochizuki demonstrations by Southern California Japanese confectioner Brian Kito of Fugetsu-do. As usual, three stages brimmed with performances of Japanese dance, music, and martial arts; karaoke, cosplay, a kimono fashion show, and much more. One could find more than 60 vendors and exhibitors of koi, comics, calligraphy, candy sculpting, ceramics, swords,Japanese-breed dogs, a collection of Japanese dolls, hourly tea ceremony presentations, and on and on. Among the community organizations and high school clubs present, the Japan Business Association of Arizona continued its raising of money for the areas affected by the 2013 Great East Japan Earthquake. Long lines proved the perennial popularity of booths grilling up teriyaki, packing bentos, offering fresh-baked Japanese bread pastries or serving tasty shaved ice!
The yearly free festival is put on by community organizations and volunteers, with cooperation from the City of Phoenix, under the direction of a Steering Committee. The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles helps sponsor Matsuri, and Consul General Jun Niimi spoke this year to open the festival with Phoenix City Manager David Cavasos. About 450 people visited the Japan Information and Culture Center’s booth, collecting hundreds of Niponica Magazines, flyers on the JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching), or pamphlets from the Japan Foundation and Japan National Tourism Organization.
Learn more about Arizona Matsuri as it approaches its 30th year: http://azmatsuri.org/ . |
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