Kotohajime, the annual New Year’s event, will be held at the Aratani Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St. in Little Tokyo, on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m.
The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center will welcome the Year of the Sheep with performance titled “Hatsu-Yuki” (First Snow), featuring traditional Japanese dance by Mai no Kai, Cambodian dances from the Khmer Arts Academy, and Zen archery by Ikkyu.
The kagamibiraki (breaking of the sake barrel) and other Japanese traditions will be performed in celebration of the new year.
There will be a special guest performance by students from the Tohoku region in ongoing support for northeastern Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake as part of the Tomodachi-Honda Cultural Exchange Program.
Admission is $20 general, $18 for JACCC members. Service fee applicable for online purchases. All ticket sales are final.
Also on Jan. 4, the 17th annual Shikishi Exhibition will open at 12 p.m. in the JACCC’s George J. Doizaki Gallery, with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Community members were asked to express their thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the new year using a shikishi board.
The exhibition will be on view through Feb. 15. Admission is free. Gallery hours: 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed Mondays and holidays.
For more information, call (213) 628-2725 or visit www.jaccc.org.