Nikkei Matsuri San Jose Japantown
2012 Festival Date : Sunday, April 29, 2012

35th Annual  Nikkei Matsuri-San Jose Japantown on April 29, 2012

This year is the 35th year of the festival and the festival continues to be vibrant and dynamic.  Taiko drummers from San Jose Taiko begin the festival with the pulsing heartbeat of the taiko, with a morning stroll through Japantown while the festival prepares for a day long celebration. 

Nikkei means ‘Japanese American’.  ‘Matsuri’ means festival.  Over 35 years ago, “Nikkei Matsuri” was one of several ethnic community events in San Jose planned for the United State’s Bicentennial celebration. The Nikkei Matsuri was the expression of the Japanese American community to share their culture with the City.  This celebration was so successful, that the festival has continued since then. The Nikkei Matsuri committee, led by President, Warren Hayashi, is composed of representatives of several non-profit organizations. Together, they coordinate a day long festival of foods, performing arts, cultural exhibits and arts and crafts with the goal of sharing and celebrating Japanese American culture in the heart of San Jose ’s Japantown.

Nikkei Matsuri Board of Directors and coordinators of the festival include:  Jimi Yamaichi, Warren Hayashi, Norman Tanaka, Larry Kaneshiro, Victor Imahara, Pam Yoshida, Sharon Siegenthaler, Kathy Linderman, Frank Tao, Vi Onishi, Ruby Kobashi, and Gordon Koo.

Nikkei Matsuri, also represents the local San Jose Nikkei community.  Organizations include the San Jose Buddhist Church (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Japanese Language School and the Buddhist Women’s Association) Wesley Methodist Church (Youth Group and Church), San Jose JACL, San Jose-Okayama Sister City Organization, Inc., YJA (Young Japanese Americans), San Jose Buddhist Judo Club, Northern California Kendo Federation, West Valley JACL, Silicon Valley JACL, and the newly formed Japantown Lion's Club, and features food booths with Japanese theme delicacies as gyoza, inari sushi, ika fry, yaki soba, tempura, udon, manju and chicken teriyaki.  Many 'non-traditional' Japanese items such as teriyaki burgers, Chinese Chicken Salad, snow cones, ice cream, Nikkei dogs, spam musubi and strawberry shortcake are also sold.

Live entertainment on two stages will be featured throughout the day. The Indoor stage will feature:  Ensohza (Traditional Japanese Folk Music), Marimo-Kai (koto performance), Japanese Classical Dance (by the students of Madame Hanayagi Michiya and Madame Bando Misayasu), Aikido Demonstration (Aikido of Japantown) and Judo Demonstration (San Jose Buddhist Judo Club).

The Outdoor Stage will feature:  the CYS (Community Youth Services) Dance group, students of Ukulele Jams, the Chidori Band (traditional Japanese music), the Wesley Jazz Ensemble, and the San Jose Taiko. Many of these groups are from the local San Jose Nikkei community.

Cultural displays exhibits the community’s engagement in maintaining traditional arts from Japan .  Two styles of Japanese flower arranging:  Ikebana Sogetsu and Ikebana Ikenobo will be displayed in the San Jose Buddhist Church gymnasium.  In addition, there will be displays by the San Jose Bonsai Club, Calligraphy from the Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai,and handcrafted kimekomi dolls by the Mataro Miyabi Kai Northern California Shibu.  There will also be a special exhibit in this area of photographs from the Counsel General's office of the Northern Japan area affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

A highlight of Nikkei Matsuri is the unique and one of a kind arts and crafts by vendors from throughout the Western United States and Hawaii .  Over sixty vendors will line Jackson Street.  All items are handcrafted and feature the use of Japanese traditional designs, materials and form in a contemporary art or craft.  One might find handcrafts soap in the shape of sushi, or clothing featuring shibori or kimono fabrics.

In addition to the Nikkei Matsuri events, local community organizations will host activities during the day.  These events include:  Yu Ai Kai  (Health Fair),  Japantown Business Association (weekly Farmer's Market on Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh Street), and Suzume No Gakko (children's cultural program, will host children's crafts at the Wesley Methodist Church during the festival). The Japanese America Museum of San Jose will host a 'Kodomo No Hi' -'Children's Day' (formerly known as Boy's Day in Japan) celebration.  The celebration will feature activities for the children.

This year’s festival will also feature a visit from members of the 2012 Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival Court and a book signing by Kristi Yamaguchi who will sign her latest book: 'It's A Big World, Little Pig'.  Kristi Yamaguchi will be signing books from noon-1:30pm.  Books must be pre-purchased and will go on sale in the Information Booth from 10am. 

All are welcome to enjoy this event of food, culture and fun for all ages. Organizers encourage festival goers to plan to spend the entire day in order to fully enjoy the festival.

Nikkei Matsuri will be from 9:30 am until 4:00 PM with all festivities taking place in the heart of San Jose Japantown (on Jackson Street between Fourth and Sixth Streets).  Admission is free.  Information and schedules of performances are available at the Nikkei Matsuri web-site:  www.nikkeimatsuri.org or by contacting Warren Hayashi at (408) 241-0900.

The Mercury News is a proud sponsor of the Nikkei Matsuri.  This program has been possible with the support of the Union Bank and Nikkei West newspaper.Like cherry blossom festivals across the nation, the San Jose Japantown Nikkei Matsuri is the San Jose Japanese American community’s celebration of heritage and culture.  This festival is enjoyed by people of all ages and is located in the heart of San Jose Japantown, one of the three remaining Japantowns in the Nation.