PASADENA — The Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute, 595 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, is holding a craft workshop for the community to “Design Your Own Akabeko” on Sunday, March 9, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Proceeds benefit the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan.
Akabeko, which means “red cow” in Japanese, a traditional papier mache toy from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan. Legend says that the akabeko was based on a real cow that would not leave a temple it had helped to build and had devoted its life to Buddha. It also came to be known to ward off smallpox and other illnesses.
At the workshop, participants will receive one handmade akabeko to decorate and take home as a remembrance of their contributions. Supplies will be provided to paint and decorate the akabeko.
Participants are asked to arrive at the workshop with enough time to complete an akabeko by 5 p.m. Pasadena JCI will be sending a collection of photos to Fukushima and place them in its gallery.
For more info, contact Lauren or Bryan Takeda at (626) 396-9927 or email akabekoproject@gmail.com.