TORRANCE — The Torrance Sister City Association will present the 42nd annual Bunka-Sai (Japanese Cultural Festival) on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd. (at Madrona Avenue), Torrance.
Admission and parking are free. The two-day celebration will feature:
• Kamishibai, traditional Japanese storytelling (new this year)
• Martial arts demonstrations (aikido, judo, kendo, naginata, karate)
• Performances of koto, taiko, minyo, shamisen, odori (classical dance)
• Demonstrations of ikebana and tea ceremony
• Displays of shodo (calligraphy), bonsai, origami, roketsu, kimekomi ningyo (dolls)
• Barbecue plate lunch, shave ice, yakisoba, Okinawa dango, curry and rice, cotton candy, desserts, drinks
• Arts and crafts boutiques
• Games for children
• Hourly drawings
Serving as emcees for the entertainment will be Dr. Dan Fichtner on Saturday and Tricia Takasugi on Sunday.
Proceeds will benefit TSCA’s student cultural exchange program. For more information, visit www.TorranceSisterCity.org.
Saturday, April 26
11:50 a.m.: Kamishibai by Kazue Takada
12 p.m.: Ikebana by Ikenobo Kai in Assembly Room
12:30 p.m.: Tea ceremony by Sakiko Monuki
1 p.m.: Bonsai by Koyu Kai in Assembly Room
1:10 p.m.: Judo
1:50 p.m.: Naginata
2:30 p.m.: Odori by Mai no Kai
3:10 p.m.: Kendo
3:40 p.m.: Kimono dressing talk by Toshiko Ohkawa
4:20 p.m.: Kishin Taiko
Sunday, April 27
11:50 p.m.: Shodo by Hiroko Ikuta
12 p.m.: Ikebana by Ikenobo Kai in Assembly Room
12:30 p.m.: Okinawan taiko and dance by Okinawa Association of America
1:10 p.m.: Aikido
1:50 p.m.: Koto by Awaya Kai
2:30 p.m.: Odori by Bando Hidesomi Nihon Buyo Kai
3:10 p.m.: Shakuhachi demo and talk by Shoshi
3:40 p.m.: Folk singing by Matsutoyo Kai
4:20 p.m. Taiko Center