Jul 23rd 2017 O.A.
The workshop for the Tanabata decorations
At Little Tokyo Koban, a workshop for the Tanabata decorations were held by the LA Tanabata Festival Committee. The Tanabata Festival is originated in Sendai, Japan and this year is the 9th year happening during Nisei Week. Each year, attendees enjoy the colorful decorations that have many people’s wishes in it. The Tanabata festival started during Nisei Week to revitalize the community and has become an important part of the festival ever since. On the year of the Great Eastern Earthquake of Japan, it caught many attention but the number of participants are decreasing each year. Yonezawa from the LA Tanabata Festival Committee says that these decorations aren’t merely for festivals, but it also resembles the strong bond the community has. The workshop is held until Saturday, the 29th. For more information, please check the website.
Los Angeles Tanabata Festival http://www.TanabataLosAngeles.org
LA Nebuta
At the Aomori Kenjinkai Kaikan, Nebuta Bayashi’s practice started. The Nebuta is always the main event of Nisei Week Grand Parade. And the Nebuta Bayashi is an essential part of the Nebuta. Members work on their taiko, flute and teburi-gane bell performances every weekend for the real stage in August. Aomori, Japan is where the Nebuta originated. The large “Takeda Shingen” nebuta made its debut in the 2007 Nisei Week Festival with the help of Nanka Aomori Kenjinkai and Aomori, Japan working together. The Nanka Aomori Kenjinkai Nebuta Bayashi are also planning on making a mid-sized Nebuta for the Hollywood Christmas Parade that’s happening in November. The LA Nebuta Bayashi are also searching for new members for future festivals.