TORRANCE — The Torrance Sister City Association presents the 41st annual Bunka-Sai on Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. (at Madrona Avenue), Torrance.
The free cultural event will feature a variety of food, including barbecue chicken, fish and beef, curry rice, yakisoba, and mochi.
New this year, Shan Ichiyanagi, also known as the Candy Man, will demonstrate his intricate candy sculptures. (Saturday only)
Other performances and demonstrations include koto music by a 13-year-old boy from Awaya Kai, Okinawan taiko and dance (Sunday only), tea ceremony, shakuhachi, ikebana, bonsai, naginata, judo, aikido, shodo, origami, sumi-e, kimono, shamisen by Matsutoyo Kai, classical dance by Bando Hedesomi Nihon Buyo Kai, and taiko.
Proceeds benefit Torrance’s student cultural exchange program with Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture. This summer, eight students and an adult leader will go to Kashiwa for three weeks to learn about Japanese culture. In August, TSCA will host eight students and an adult from Kashiwa. Hundreds of students have participated since the program started in 1979.
The schedule, which is subject to change, is as follows.
Saturday, April 20
11:50 a.m.: South Bay Judo
12 p.m.: Ikebana by Ikenobo Kai (in Assembly Room)
12:30 p.m.: Tea ceremony by Sakiko Monuki of Urasenke School
1 p.m.: Bonsai by Koyu Kai (in Assembly Room)
1:10 p.m.: Kimono dressing by Sueko Oshimoto of Yamano Dressing School
1:50 p.m.: Naginata
2:30 p.m.: Japanese dance by Mai No Kai Dance School, accompanied by shamisen musicians
3:10 p.m.: Japanese folk dance with audience participation, instructed by Mai no Kai Dance School
3:50 p.m.: Kishin Taiko
Sunday, April 21
11:50 a.m.: Calligraphy by Hiroko Ikuta
12 p.m.: Ikebana by Ikenobo Kai (in Assembly Room)
12:30 p.m.: Shakuhachi by Yuzan Shirai
1:10 p.m.: Aikido
1:50 p.m.: Koto by Ryan Kaneko from Awaya Kai
2:30 p.m.: Japanese dance by Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Kai
3:10 p.m.: Okinawa dance/taiko by Okinawa Association of America Geinobu, Aikoh Kai, Kansei Kai, Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko
3:50 p.m.: Japanese folk music by Matsutoyo Kai
4:20 p.m.: Isami Taiko from Gardena Buddhist Church Youth Group
For more information, contact the Torrance Community Services Department, 3031 Torrance Blvd.; (310) 618-2930; www.TorranceCa.gov.