Japanese classical dance performance by Mai no Kai at the 2019 Bunka-Sai.
Music! Dance! Drummers! Crafts! Food! Free admission and parking await festival attendees at the exciting 50th annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural event on Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, at the Torrance Cultural Arts complex.
As part of its major fundraiser supporting the student exchange program with its sister city of Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, the Torrance Sister City Association (TSCA) will host an event featuring fun for the entire family.
There will be an Asian-themed arts and craft boutique with over 20 vendors selling hand-made items that will be perfect gifts for the upcoming holidays. Included among the items for sale will be new and gently used kimono items with some that can be repurposed into new garments, as well as a limited number of like-new already-made children’s obi (sashes), and a few wedding kimono that will make beautiful home displays.
Also, there will be vendors with pottery, home decor, clothing, jewelry, purses and decorative bags, stationery, a gift booth sale with great bargains, and more.
Visitors will be treated to one of the best Japanese cultural arts programs in the South Bay with performances by students of many certified instructors who have studied in Japan. Bunka-Sai will open and close with the thunderous roar of the various taiko groups who practice at Asano Taiko, U.S.
There will be two special guest artists appearing on Saturday. Shan Ichiyanagi, aka The Candy Man, will demonstrate his skills and sell his figures in a rare appearance from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a booth in the courtyard. He is one of the few Japan–trained artists in the art of amezaiku” or candy sculptures.
In addition, the esteemed headmaster of the Yamatogaku School of Music will arrive from Japan to perform with a music ensemble at 3:15 p.m. on the Ken Miller Auditorium stage.
The festival will feature demonstrations of martial arts, tea ceremony, kimono dressing, brush calligraphy, rakugo (humorous storytelling), kendama (a children’s game), performances of Japanese and Okinawan dancing and music, and two young students of world-famous Tsugaru shamisen artists the Yoshida Brothers.
For those who enjoy the beauty of nature, there will be exhibits of bonsai by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai and Ikenobo ikebana as well as demonstrations of these arts. Fans of Japanese storytelling, or kamishibai, will be captivated in the Assembly Room. Children and adults can engage in hands-on activities of bead-making, origami, and brush calligraphy, and there will be outdoor games for children as well.
Since every festival is for foodies, shaved ice, cotton candy, dango, barbecue grilled items, Spam musubi, curry, and yakisoba are standard food items for sale at Bunka-Sai.
The festival will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Torrance Cultural Arts complex is located at 3341 Torrance Blvd. (at Madrona Avenue). Part of the complex houses the Ken Miller Recreation Center, where the stage will be host to performers. For more information and the schedule of performances, visit the TSCA website: https://torrancesistercity.org/