CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Japan House will host its first Matsuri festival, celebrating Japanese culture, at the end of the month. The event is free and open to the public.
“Matsuri” is the Japanese word for festival. Matsuri will serve as a kickoff for the semester, a welcome for international students and a way for the community to learn more about Japanese culture. It will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Japan House, 2000 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana.
The festival will feature performances by Ho Etsu Taiko, a Chicago-based taiko drum group.
Masaji Terasawa, known as “The Candyman,” will demonstrate Amezaiku, the artistry of Japanese candy.
“It’s amazing. You think of a glass blower, only it’s candy, and it’s like a street performance, with costumes,” said Cynthia Voelkl, assistant director of Japan House.
A potter will make tea bowls, and children will have the opportunity to make their own bowls. James Bier, who designed the gardens at Japan House, will give tours of the gardens. And shiatsu massage will be available.
Other entertainment includes martial arts demonstrations, a fashion show with costumes based on anime (Japanese animation) characters, bonsai and ikebana (flower arranging) demonstrations, and a tea ceremony.
Voelkl said Japan House is trying to reach people who are interested in Japanese culture from various angles, whether it’s the traditional tea ceremony, anime or alternative medicine.
The festival will feature food with a Japanese or Asian flavor, including a savory Japanese pancake with cabbage and bacon, a shitake mushroom pizza and a green tea-flavored cupcake.
Japan House is sponsoring a visit by Seiran Chiba, a Japanese calligrapher, the week prior to Matsuri. Chiba won’t be at Matsuri but will be at the Urbana Sweet Corn Festival on Friday evening, Aug. 28, and on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Editor’s note: For more information about Matsuri, go to japanhouse.art.illinois.edu, or contact Cynthia Voelkl at cvoelkl@illinois.edu.
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