GREAT ENTERTAINMENT: 2023 Japanese Cultural Bazaar, June 4
GREAT Entertainment starts 11 a.m.
Admission is free to the Bazaar and all our presentation:s for the Bazaar. When you come early you won’t miss anything you want to see, including performances of taiko (drums), shamisen and koto; Mexican folklorico and Japanese dancing; demonstrations of martial arts and ink-brush painting; and more. See the schedule below.
11:00 a.m.
OUTSIDE
Buddhist Temple of San Diego Taiko. Japanese Big Drum Ensemble.
11:45-12:15
ANNEX HALL
Matsumae Kai. Shamisen Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Monji. Japanese folk songs. The shamisen is a traditional three-stringed lute, resembling a banjo with a square body, played by strumming with a large plectrum.
HONDO
Intro to Buddhism. With Minister’s Assistant. View our Buddhist worship area and altar for a discussion of the basics of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. Followed by Q&A.
12:30-1:00
OUTSIDE
San Diego Taiko. Japanese Big Drum Ensemble.
1:15-1:45
ANNEX HALL
Kamishibai. Featuring Walter Ritter. Japanese-style itinerant storytelling.In old rural Japan, professional story tellers would travel from village to village.
HONDO
Masazumi Kai. Koto Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Mizuno. The koto is a traditional stringed instrument, also known as “the Japanese Harp.” It is a longish flat instrument with 13 strings above a sounding board. Its unique sound enchants music lovers from around the world with its beautiful and serene sound.
2:00-2:30
ANNEX HALL
Edo Kotobuko Jishi. Shi Shi Mai or Lion Dance with live accompaniment by musicians playing taiko, yotobue, and atarigane (drums, Japanese flute, and gong).
2:45-3:15
ANNEX HALL
Ballet Folklorico. Featuring Andrea Covarrubias. Mexican folk dancing.
HONDO
Sumi-E. Japanese ink painting. Featuring Wendy Nakamura.
3:15-3:45
ANNEX HALL
Shofukan Kendo Dojo. Under the direction of Tiffany Kao. Martial art using the katana, the traditional Japanese sword.