Sakura festival celebrates spring |
| Posted by Administrator on Apr 22 2009 at 12:41 PM |
Photo by Stacy Laue
Rieko Chaono, a sophomore international studies major from Kochi, Japan, teaches Nancy Michalski, a graduate student from Ord, how to make onigiri (or a rice ball). Onigiri was one of the many Japanese foods available at the festival.
By Stacy Laue
Antelope Staff
The lights were dim as students, faculty, community members and children walked into the Cushing gymnasium Sunday evening. Japanese cherry blossoms, food booths, origami and calligraphy completed the warming and peaceful atmosphere of Sakura, the Japanese festival celebrating spring.
The Sakura festival was organized by the Japanese Association at Kearney (JAK) as part of a large cultural experience for the university.
"We wanted to tell people about the Japanese culture and hoped everyone would enjoy it," said Ryugi Takemoto, president of JAK and a sophomore economics major from Hiroshima, Japan.
Ryugi noted approximately 240 Japanese students on campus are active members of JAK. He said the students worked to add different features from last year's festival.
Those attending visited different booths that had a variety of food and cultural activities.
"This year we made the castle display and the bridge and river," Ryugi said.
Hungry guests could choose Sado, onigiri (rice balls), miso soup and oyakodon, a dish combining of chicken, egg, green onion and rice.
Amber Kosmicki, a junior art education and graphic design major from Holdrege, enjoyed trying miso soup.
"It was different, and it wasn't what I was expecting," Kosmicki said.
Japanese calligraphy, origami, chopstick games and the opportunity for yukata pictures in a Japanese summer garment kept guests busy.
A large stage was one of the main features at the Sakura festival. Different groups performed for the crowd throughout the festival.
The Japanese 101 class sang a song, "Sekaini Hitotsudakeno Hana," by a popular Japanese group SMAP for those in attendance. The song speaks about the differences between people and how important those qualities are.
Students presented karate and shorinji kempo martial art performances.
Chris Gugel, a freshman music performance and education major from Amherst, volunteered to participate in one of the knife defense exercises.
"I learned there is a large amount of focus and concentration in these exercises," Gugel said.
At the end of the day, students walked away with a new cultural experience and more knowledge about the Japanese culture.
"I really like the Japanese culture and this is a great way to support JAK. These people are so kind and considerate," Afton Palmer, a junior graphic design major from Omaha, said.
