2024 - City of Torrance 49th Annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival (Japanese Food, Dance, Music, Calligraphy, Tea Ceremony..) (2 Days)NEW

City of Torrance 49th Annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival Event. This annual event features authentic demonstrations of Japanese dance, koto, and shakuhachi flute, folk singing, taiko drums, calligraphy, origami, martial arts including: kendo, judo, aikido, and naginata. Ikebana (flower arranging), bonsai, and girls’ day dolls on display. Kamishibai storytelling in English and Japanese, games and crafts for kids. A fun and educational event for families and all ages.

Schedule

Festival Cost
Free admission and free parking. Japanese sweets (mochi & Okinawa dango doughnut) and tasty food (yakisoba noodles, curry rice, spam musubi, and BBQ plate) available for purchase.

Proceeds from the event benefit TSCA’s student cultural exchange program, which sends up to eight students and an adult leader from Torrance to Kashiwa, Japan for three weeks in July. TSCA will host eight Kashiwa students and an adult leader during August. TSCA is a non-profit, community-based, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting goodwill and friendship between the people of Torrance and Kashiwa. This year, TSCA celebrates its 48th anniversary of its sister city relationship.

Don't miss this fun filled event!

Bunka-Sai Festival Event Date
April 20 - 21, 2024 (2 Days)

Festival Time
11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Bunka-Sai Scheduled 
Calligraphy, Folk Music, Dance, Koto, Tea Ceremony, Anime, Judo..

Bunka-Sai Festival Location
Ken Miller Recreation Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503

Bunka-Sai Title
City of Torrance Annual Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival Event (Japanese Dance & Music, Martial Arts, Calligraphy, Tea Ceremony..) (2 Days) 

PREVIOUS YEAR SCHEDULE

2022 Bunka-Sai Performances, Demonstrations and Exhibits

Saturday, April 23 - Emcee: Dan Fichtner
Outdoor Stage (Torino Plaza)

11:15 am: Taiko: Traditional Japanese drumming by Hachijo Aikoukai & LA Miyake Kai
11:35 am: Opening Speeches

Indoor Stage (Ken Miller Recreation Center)
11:50 am: Tea Ceremony: Urasenke Tanko Kai Los Angeles Association
12:20 pm: Announcement: Anime Contest winner presentations
12:30 pm: Music: Traditional Japanese folk music by Matsutoyo Kai
01:10 pm: Kimono: Demonstration by the L.A. Kimono Club
01:50 pm: Martial Arts: Judo by South Bay Judo Club
02:30 pm: Dance: Classical dance sequences of Kabuki drama by Wakahisa Kai
03:10 pm: Martial Arts: Kendo by Torrance Kendo Dojo
03:50 pm: Music: Shakuhachi (bamboo flute) by craftsman, Shawn Schroeder
04:30 pm: Taiko: Contemporary Japanese drumming by Taiko Effect

Assembly Room (Ken Miller Recreation Center)
12:00 pm: Ikenobo: Flower arrangement demonstration by Minamitani Semho
12:30 pm: Kamishibai: Japanese story reading for children
01:30 pm: Shakuhachi: Bamboo flute by Shawn Schroeder
02:30 pm: Bonsai: Horticulture demonstration by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
03:30 pm: Kamishibai: Japanese story reading for children
12:00 to 3:00 pm: Shodo: Hands-on Japanese calligraphy by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai
12:00 to 4:00 pm: Origami: Hands-on Japanese paper folding workshop

Assembly Room Exhibits
Bonsai by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
Ikenobo by students of Minamitani Semho
Japanese handicrafts by Seigyoku Kihara

*** 

2022 Bunka-Sai Performances, Demonstrations and Exhibits

Sunday, April 24 - Emcee: Dan Fichtner

Outdoor Stage (Torino Plaza)
11:15 pm: Taiko: Japanese drumming by Asano Taiko US Advanced Youth Group
11:40 pm: Martial Arts: Karate by Wado-Ryu Karate Do Renmei

Indoor Stage (Ken Miller Recreation Center)
12:15 pm: Music: Koto (Japanese zither) by Yuki Yasuda and LA Koto Ensemble
12:55 pm: Dance: Traditional dances by Mai No Kai Bando Hiromiya
01:25 pm: Calligraphy: Ink-dipped brush writing by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai
02:05 pm: Music: Ohayashi, classical percussion instruments, by Fuji Japanese Music
02:45 pm: Martial Arts: Naginata (polearm weapons) by Torrance Naginata Dojo
03:25 pm: Music: Koto (Japanese zither) by Yoko Awaya Koto Music Conservatory
03:55 pm: Opportunity Drawing
04:20 pm: Taiko: Showcase by Los Dokos, Unit Two & Unit One of Asano Taiko US

Assembly Room (Ken Miller Recreation Center)
11:30 pm: Kamishibai: Japanese story reading for children
12:30 pm: Bonsai: Horticulture demonstration by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
01:30 pm: Japanese Dance Props: Presentation by Bando Hidesomi
02:30 pm: Bonsai: Horticulture demonstration by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
03:30 pm: Kamishibai: Japanese story reading for children
12:00 to 3:00 pm: Shodo: Hands-on Japanese calligraphy by Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai
12:00 to 4:00 pm: Origami: Hands-on Japanese paper folding workshop

Assembly Room Exhibits / Festival
Bonsai by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
Ikenobo by students of Minamitani Semho
Japanese handicrafts by Seigyoku Kihara