Chapman University’s Japanese Club hosted the 3rd Annual Chapman Cherry Blossom Festival on Wednesday, April 17th at the Attallah Piazza on campus. The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles exhibited a booth at the festival offering JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program information, Niponica Magazines, MEXT Scholarship pamphlets, and other information. Visitors could also test their knowledge with our Japan Facts Quiz, or play with traditional Japanese toys.
The Chapman Cherry Blossom Fesitval is an opportunity for the university Japanese Club to introduce Japanese culture and club activities to other students, staff, and community members. This year’s event saw a turnout of approximately 200 people to enjoy the festivities. Japanese Club President Kevin Allen, Vice President Hazel Naylor, and Public Relations and Marketing officer Jordan Zucker, amongst other club members, worked to organize the event.
The Chapman Cherry Blossom Festival featured a shamisen performance by 16-year old Naoki Atkins, a skit performed in Japanese and English by Japanese club members, and a slide show of club activities on stage. Festival participants were given a “passport” which they could use to collect stamps from each festival booth in order to earn free food. On their journey to collect stamps, visitors could stop by the calligraphy booth to request personalized messages or words to be written down and given to them as a souvenir. Festival participants could also try various carnival games, have their fortune read at a table by o-mikuji, and enjoy yo-yo tsuri water balloons, cotton candy, and Japanese snacks. Many stopped to get a taste of the Japanese tea ceremony and watched a demonstration by the Chado Urasenke Tantokai Orange County Association. The Japanese Club also conducted fundraising by selling boba drinks for $1 each. |
