38th Annual Nikkei Matsuri of San Jose Japantown (Live Performances, Cultural Displays, Yu Ai Kai's Health Fair, Food, Farmer Market..)NEW

The Sounds of Taiko! �The smells of delicious Japanese foods (Chicken teriyaki, Udon, Yakisoba, Sushi, Teriyaki Dogs, manju, etc) ! �Entertainment (San Jose Taiko, Chidori Band, Wesley Jazz Band, etc) on TWO stages! �Cultural exhibits such as Bonsai, Ikebana and Kimekomi dolls! �Original, unique and handmade arts and crafts from vendors throughout California! �Enjoy a full day of fun for all ages at the Nikkei Matsuri in the heart of San Jose Japantown.

Full schedule on our web-site at www.nikkeimatsuri.org. Find us on Facebook.�

Past Press Release
Like cherry blossom festivals across the nation, the San Jose Japantown Nikkei Matsuri is the San Jose Japanese American community's celebration of Japanese heritage and culture. The festival is enjoyed by people of all ages and is located in the heart of San Jose Japantown, one of the last three remaining Japantowns in the United States.� This year is the 37th year of the festival and the festival continues to be vibrant and dynamic.� Taiko drummers from San Jose Taiko begin the festival at 9:15 am, with the pulsing heartbeat of the taiko, with a morning stroll through Japantown while the festival prepares for an all day celebration filled with food, entertainment, cultural displays and arts and crafts.� The Opening ceremony will commence on the Outdoor stage at 9:30am in front of the San Jose Buddhist Betsuin on 5th Street between Jackson and Taylor Streets.

Nikkei means 'Japanese American'.� 'Matsuri' means festival.� Over 37 years ago, "Nikkei Matsuri" was one of several ethnic community events in San Jose held for the United State's Bicentennial celebration. The Nikkei Matsuri was the expression of the Japanese American community to share the Japanese culture on a City-wide scale.� This celebration was so successful, that the festival has continued and made it's home in the heart of San Jose Japantown.

The 2014 Nikkei Matsuri committee, led by President, Warren Hayashi, is composed of hundreds of volunteers. Together, they coordinate a festival of foods, performing arts, cultural exhibits and arts and crafts with the goal of sharing and celebrating Japanese culture in the heart of San Jose's Japantown.� Nikkei Matsuri Board of Directors and coordinators of the festival include: Larry Kaneshiro, Ruby Kobashi, Gordon Koo, Kathy Linderman, Norman Tanaka, Jimi Yamaichi, Lesly Yamatake and Pam Yoshida.

The Nikkei Food Fair is hosted by several non-profit organizations from the local Nikkei community.� Organizations include the San Jose Buddhist Betsuin organizations: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Japanese Language School, Buddhist Women's Association and Church, Wesley Methodist Church organizations:� 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, Silicon Valley JACL, and the Japantown Lion's Club.� They are a highlight of the festival with Japanese themed delicacies such as gyoza, inari sushi, maki sushi, ika fry, yaki soba, tempura, udon, mochi manju, curry rice, teriyaki beef bowls, and chicken teriyaki.� Many 'non-traditional' Japanese items such as Chinese Chicken Salad, ice cream, mocha smoothies, 'Nikkei dogs' (hot dog with Japanese food toppings), spam musubi and strawberry shortcake are also sold.

Live entertainment on two stages will be featured throughout the day. The Indoor stage is located in the San Jose Betsuin gymnasium and will feature cultural demonstrations such as: Japanese Folk Music-Minyo by Ensohza, Japanese Traditional Dance-Bando Style, Aikido by Aikido of Japantown, Kendo by the Northern California Kendo Association.� New this year will be a kimono dressing demonstration by June Sakamoto and Joyce Iwasaki.

The Outdoor Stage will feature many local community groups including:� 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. Mike Inouye of NBC will be the announcer for this stage.

Cultural displays, exhibits the community's engagement in maintaining traditional arts from Japan.� Two styles of Japanese flower arranging:� Ikebana Sogetsu (Kika Shibata) and Ikebana Ikenobo (Joyce Kobata and Julie Nakatani) will be displayed in the San Jose Buddhist Church gymnasium.� In addition, there will be displays by the San Jose Bonsai Club (Ken Azuma), Kashu Suiseki (Ted Kameda), and handcrafted kimekomi dolls by the Mataro Miyabi Kai Northern California Shibu (Isako Masanori Wasano).

Other demonstrations throughout the festival site will include a Kyudo demonstration (Japanese archery), sword exhibit (San Francisco Nipponto Society) and Daiku Dojo (traditional Japanese wood jointery).

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 handcrafted soap in the shape of sushi, or contemporary clothing featuring shibori or kimono fabrics.

In addition to the Nikkei Matsuri events, local community organizations will host activities that day.� The very popular Yu Ai Kai Nihonmachi Run will begin at 9am and will give runners and walkers the opportunity to get an early start at the festival.� This year is the 40th anniversary of Yu Ai Kai and the popular run tshirt design will commemorate Yu-Ai Kai's 40 years of service to Seniors in the San Jose Japantown community.

Other events include:� Yu Ai Kai's Health Fair,� Japantown Business Association's weekly Farmer's Market on Jackson Street between Sixth and Seventh Street, and Suzume No Gakko (children's cultural program at the Wesley Methodist Church). 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 with activities for children, and an antique fair.

Since 2011, the Nikkei Matsuri has encouraged activities that support the people of Japan displaced by the Northern Japan earthquake and tsunami.� The Madei Project represents crafters from the village of Iitate who were forced to evacuate their homes and farms due to their proximity to the nuclear reactors in Fukushima.� The Madei Project will be selling crafts from repurposed kimono fabric made by the Iitate crafters.� They will be located in the Nikkei Matsuri Information booth.��� �

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 is 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.� Look for Nikkei Matsuri updates on Facebook.

The Mercury News is a proud sponsor of the Nikkei Matsuri.� Nikkei Matsuri is made possible with the support of the City of San Jose Cultural Affairs, Union Bank, Bright Green San Jose and Nikkei West newspaper.