Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington
The Nikkei Heritage Association
of Washington (NHAW)
is a
501(c)(3) organization.
The Japanese Culture and Community Center
of Washington
is a project
of the NHAW.
The 4th Annual Bunka no Hi
Sunday, November 1st 2009
We at JCCCW are grateful for the support of the recent Bunka no Hi from the community. Over 500 people attended the event on November 1st, and gauging from the responses from participants and performers alike, Bunka no Hi was overall a success.
Blessed with good weather, many brought their families and friends along in spirit of celebration and community. Japanese and Japanese American diversity, culture and art were showcased in all three buildings of JCCCW’s site. Sanshin player Mako Willette, Fujima Fujimine Youth Dancers, Koto player Shiho Kurauchi, Taiko groups Kaze Daiko and Northwest Taiko, and others gave attendees an insight to classical Japanese music. Masaye Nakagawa shared with the audience the tradition of tea ceremony. People also had a chance to try on kimonos, courtesy of Kotobuki Kimono Rentals. Futhermore, there were Ikebana and Bonsai tree displays demonstrating the harmony between nature and humanity.
For the people who managed to catch Ringtaro & Asako Tateishi’s rousing performance on Sunday, bravo for you! The steady rhythm of the Taiko drums, complemented with the koto, sent energy pulsating through bodies. The conference room was packed and there were people peering in by the doors just to catch a glimpse of the talented duo. (Want to learn Taiko drumming? Here is the perfect opportunity as Ringtaro will be teaching classes at JCCCW! Visit our Programs and Classes page to find out more... )
Showcasing the visual aspect of Japanese art, JCCCW was graced by the talents and presences of local Kiri-e artist Aki Sogabe, Sumi-e artist Midori Kono Thiel, and international artist Boss Hiko, who was on his Seattle tour.
Boss Hiko
Boss Hiko is an artist who uses Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting) to express his creativity. With music playing in the background, he works on a two-meter tall canvas for half an hour, painting with graceful brush strokes, however creating powerful imagery. Boss Hiko kept the audience in suspense by giving them only a glimpse on different parts of the picture. The room was packed for both sessions and the audience were transfixed by his performance. In addition, Boss Hiko donated one of two masterpieces he did for Bunka no Hi to JCCCW.
“We (together with Boss Hiko & Sayoko Hirano, his talented art assistant) felt a lot of positive energy in the room. People were asking the right questions and were genuinely interested in Boss Hiko’s work. This is our first time here in JCCCW and we had a lot of fun.”
- Mika Sakai, Boss Hiko’s tour assistant.
Boss Hiko is on Facebook!
Bunka no Hi 2009: A Celebration of Culture and Community
The community has come together in this event. Vendors, community and cultural organizations set up booths for attendees to share understanding and diversity of Japanese culture. Several groups presented a variety of Japanese martial arts demonstrations. International artist and friend of JCCCW, Dawn Frazier donated two gorgeous kokeshi cutouts, which she specifically made for the event. Vinacafe provided complimentary delicious iced coffee for our guests . The bake sale was sold out and generated over $500. Throughout the whole span of Bunka no Hi, over 100 volunteers have graciously dedicated their time and hard effort into making the event a successful one. We are thankful for your support! Many thanks to Merrily who worked on the treasure sale. And a Special Thank You to the Bogey Bear Jr. Golf Foundation students for all your hard work!
What Some People Have Said about Bunka no Hi 2009:
“Thanks to all who have worked so hard to make this the best Bunka no Hi ever.”
- Kip Tokuda, JCCCW founder & NHAW Board Member
“I will add it to my calendar for future years.”- Dave Y.
“It was an unqualified success. The whole place was teeming with people. It seemed like something was going on in every room. What a wonderful feeling! A far cry from the days when I used to walk down dark hallways and into empty classrooms.”- Kenichi S.
“What a fabulous Bunka no Hi! So many people, so many smiling faces and a good way to introduce people to the possibilities ahead! Thank you for your hard work. Please share our deep appreciation with the volunteers and interns! We are so proud of what was accomplished!”
- Lori Matsukawa, JCCCW Board President
2009 Bunka no Hi Bonsai Raffle Prize Winners
Congratulations to Hiro and Dorothy Nishimura, long time JCCCW supporters, our 2009 Bunka no Hi Bonsai Raffle Prize winners! The beautiful Bonsai, valued at $180, was graciously donated by Dr. Jonathan Bannister of Tsubomi Seishin Kan Bannister Dojo.
Seattle Collects: 1,000 Kokeshi!
The exhibit Seattle Collects: 1,000 Kokeshi! was a highlight of this year’s Bunka no Hi. Situated in Building 3’s Northwest Nikkei Museum, more than 1,000 kokeshi ningyo were neatly arranged in display cases according to the collectors. Many heard about Seattle Collects: 1,000 Kokeshi and brought others to marvel at the vast collection of wooden dolls, one of the largest ever seen in the country. Seattle Collects: 1,000 Kokeshi will continue to be on display until April, so for those who missed it, do not worry as there will still be opportunity till next year.
We hope you enjoyed Bunka no Hi as much as we did hosting it. We are honored and will continue to improve Bunka no Hi and share our love in celebrating Japanese and Japanese American culture.
Some of the kokeshi ningyos that are on display as part of the Seattle Collects 1,000 Kokeshi exhibit.
Thank you for a HUGE success!
Japanese Cultural and Community Center Board member Kirsten Henning, JCCCW intern Yessica Andiputri and former Board member Karen Akada Sakata along with community fans celebrate International artist Boss Hiko after Bunka no Hi 2009.
Photographs from Bunka no Hi 2009
courtesy of Eugene Tagawa & Julie-Ann Ignacio
