The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture

Welcomes the Year of the Rat

Saturday January 19, 2008, 11 am – 4 pm

With a ritual 108 strikes of a bell by the Central California Jodo Shinshu Buddhist, the Clark Center will ring in the Japanese New Year on Saturday, January 19, 2008.  The fifth annual New Year Festival at the Clark Center will feature traditional Japanese games, activities, and entertainment for the whole family free of charge.  

The gallery, library, and outdoor courtyard will be bustling with Japanese New Year activities from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Bonsai Garden will feature a special “Winter Silhouette” exhibit.  Visitors can help pound, and then eat, mochi-tsuki, the sticky rice cakes.  Children will have a chance to play hagoita, the predecessor of modern badminton, as well as the lively game of matching picture cards called karuta which teaches basic written Japanese characters and some simple words. 

The New Year is a special time to focus on writing characters that bring good luck and happiness, so everyone will be able to create kakizome, Japanese calligraphy. 

Origami artist Ray Thomas will teach the art of paper folding.  In addition to the art exhibit, the gallery will feature performances of the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument.  Japanese snacks will be for sale at the outdoor kitchen, and library gift shop will offer a variety of souvenirs from Japan.

Most exciting is the addition of two new events this year.  The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles is sending their Kyudo Kai to give demonstrations of traditional Japanese archery, featuring ritual ceremonies and authentic costumes.  Finally, there will be a special performance by the San Francisco Taiko Dojo drummers.

This event is made possible by support from Target, Union Bank of California, and Koda Farms, which supplies the specialty rice.