This year marked the 30th anniversary of “Arizona MATSURI: A Festival of Japan” held annually at Heritage and Science Park in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Matsuri is a celebration of Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community organized by the Matsuri Steering Committee, and co-chaired by Ms. Doris Asano and Mr. Ted Namba. This year’s festival theme was Chochin or Japanese Lanterns. Beautiful paper lanterns and other traditional Japanese paper crafts were on display, while demonstrations were made of the creation process. The festival took place on February 22-23, 2014, and it is estimated that 85,000 some people attended this year, in addition to the 210 performers, vendors, and organizations joining the event.
The Arizona Matsuri started on Saturday with a Mikoshi Procession, shortly followed by an Opening Ceremony at which the Director of the City of Phoenix International Relations Office and Executive Director of Phoenix Sister Cities, Paula West and Consul General of Japan Jun Niimi provided remarks. The Japan Information and Culture Center of the Consulate General of Japan, Los Angeles also operated a booth during the festival. Approximately 575 people visited the booth, collecting hundreds of Niponica Magazines, JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program pamphlets, and various informational materials, including items from the Japan Foundation and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization).
As always, the Arizona Matsuri was alive with many activities, booths, performances, and demonstrations, including: Japanese dance, music, martial arts, karaoke, cosplay, a kimono fashion show, calligraphy, Japanese-breed dogs, and tea ceremony. New attractions this year included performances by Willow Creek High School Thespian Troupe, Yukiko Miyake Takasago Noh, Kendama and Games for Children, and many more. |
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