2023 - 30th Annual Black Ships Festival - Arts & Crafts and Martial Arts Fair- Independence Park (Taiko, Games, Booths, Workshops, Iaid..)NEW
Other Events At This Location
Independence Park on Thames Street
This Event Has Passed
Bristol, RI 02809
Visit Location Website
Arts & Crafts and Martial Arts Fair Event - Independence Park. We welcome you to join us for an exciting celebration of friendship, culture, goodwill and economic partnership.
Join the Japan America Society of Rhode Island for the Annual Black Ships Festival. A celebration of the friendship and culture between Japan and the United States and the trading treaty negotiated by Rhode Island’s Own Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN over 160 years ago. From Arts & Crafts, Taiko Drumming and Martial Arts there are a variety of activities for all ages and interest. Independence Park will become a Japanese American Village with arts crafts and martial arts. This year's Black Ships Gala will be at Ochre Court in Newport RI.
Festival Event Date
August 12, 2023 - Saturday
Festival Time
11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location
Independence Park on Thames Street is transformed into a Japanese-American Cultural Center, featuring demonstrations, workshops, and displays. Including Arts and Crafts and Martial Arts Demonstrations.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES & DISPLAYS 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
ARTS & CRAFTS TENT- Japanese Origami, Calligraphy and Tanabata Wish on Bamboo along with Henna tattoos from the Japanese Language Students of Classical High School
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
Join the students in some Japanese fun with origami making, calligraphy, henna and more!
THE JAPANESE CONSULATE TENT- Celebrate Summer like they do in Japan
11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Join staff and volunteers from the Consulate General of Japan in Boston for summer festival activities. Celebrate the summer holiday of Tanabata by writing a wish on a paper streamer and hanging it from bamboo branches. Kids can try their hand at the typical summer festival games of Kendama (ball and cup) and learn Origami.
Bristol Garden Club Tent
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
Ongoing Kokedama demonstrations and selling Kokedama plants.
Shiatsu with Sakiko Mori and Shunji Morimoto
11:00 am to 3:30 pm
Shiatsu massage is an ancient Japanese healing method. Due to its name - "shi" (finger) and "atsu" (pressure) it's often described as a form of acupressure.
FULL SCHEDULE OF DEMONSTRATIONS & PERFORMANCES
Japanese Ikebana Demonstration
11:00 am: Representatives of the Bristol Garden Club will demonstrate the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, Ikebana.
Stimulating your Mind & Body with Okinawan Karate
11:15 am: This workshop will help coordination and motor skills while exercising mind and body. By Okinawan Temple and Al Gagne.
Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England
11:45 am: The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw the summons people to seek out its source!
Japanese Shinobue (Flute) & Drum Performance
12:05 pm
Japanese Kokedama Demonstration
12:15 pm: Representatives of the Bristol Garden Club will demonstrate the traditional Japanese art of Kokedama.
Iaido Performance from Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo USA Shibu
12:30 pm: Iaido aims for beauty in perfection and form of using swords.
Stimulating your Mind & Body with Okinawan Karate
1:00 pm: This workshop will help coordination and motor skills while exercising mind and body. By Okinawan Temple and Al Gagne
Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England
1:30 pm: The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw the summons people to seek out its source!
Iaido Performance from Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo USA Shibu
2:00 pm: Iaido aims for beauty in perfection and form of using swords.
Japanese Kokedama Demonstration
2:15 pm: Representatives of the Bristol Garden Club will demonstrate the traditional Japanese art of Kokedama.
Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England
2:30 pm: The taiko is said to be the voice and spirit of the Japanese. The sound of the taiko has an irresistible draw the summons people to seek out its source!
SHORIN-RYU Demonstration by Okinawan Temple and Al Gagne
2:45 pm: From Okinawa, the Birthplace of Karate. Consists of exercise, self-defense drills, techniques and several farming tools converted to weapons by the Okinawan people.
INDEPENDENCE PARK ON-GOING ACTIVITIES & DISPLAYS
Bristol Garden Club
Classical High School
Shiatsu with Sakiko Mori and Shunji Morimoto
Office of the Council General
Okinawan Temple
Ohisama
Odaiko New England
Suio Ryu Iai Kenpo
Barken Crafts
Sensational Showers
Wabi Sabi Décor
South County Herbals
Dapper Customs
Jacqueline Drake Art
TurnKey Gifts
Barbara Keeley Art
Rose & Petal Cakery
Communities for People
About
Celebrating its 39th Anniversary, The Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of R.I. was honored to have been chosen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan to receive its prestigious citation from the Minister. This acknowledged the Society’s dedication to developing and understanding educational and economic ties between the citizens of Rhode Island and Japan. The citation was presented by The Honorable Keizo Obuchi, former Prime Minister of Japan.
The Black Ships Festival offers a variety of events that emphasize both Japanese art and culture. Events include a formal Gala, Japanese Arts & Crafts such as Origami and Ikebana; Martial Arts, and a Japanese Tea Ceremony. A highlight will be the Taiko Drums!
The Black Ships Festival commemorates the historic achievements of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, USN, of Rhode Island. The “Black Ships,” or “Kurofune,” refers to the Japanese term for foreign ships which, with one exception, were excluded from Japan for two hundred years until 1854. Commodore Perry negotiated the Treaty of Kanagawa in 1854, the first treaty between the United States and Japan, thus ending two centuries of Japanese isolationism. The Black Ships Festival celebrates the signing of the treaty, which brought the two countries together as trading partners.
The Black Ships Festivals in Rhode Island and in Shimoda, Japan commemorate this historic event with a celebration of friendship. This year is the 80th festival in Shimoda. The Festival is presented by The Japan-America Society and Black Ships Festival of Rhode Island, Inc., a non-profit, non-partisan organization. For further information, contact The Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, 28 Pelham Street, Newport, RI 02840 or call (401)847-7666.
Disclaimer: Please double check all information provided on our platform with the official website for complete accuracy and up-to-date details.
Saturday, 12 August, 2023
Event & Festival Contact
Annual Black Ships Festival Event JASRIEvent Organizer Website
Visit Organizer Website
Get More Details From the Event Organizer
Event Location Website
Visit Location Website
For More Location Details
Share Event & Festivals
Event Information Can Change
Always verify event information for possible changes or mistakes.Contact Us for Issues
Add Event To Your Calendar
iCalendar Google Calendar
Windows Live Calendar
Event Information Can Change
Always verify event information for possible changes or mistakes.Contact Us for Issues
Authentic Japanese Gardens (United States)
Best Japanese Gardens
Japanese Rock 'Zen' Gardens (United States)
Best Japanese Rock 'Zen' Gardens
Japanese Teahouses (United States)
Best Japanese Teahouses