AMNH Announces Cherry Blossoms: Japan Fest, 3/14-17

Featuring SAORI weaving, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, Okinawan dance, a Taiko drum performance, and a shadow puppet troupe, the American Museum of Natural History Global Weekends: Cherry Blossoms: Japan Fest will also commemorate the first anniversary of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

As part of the Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial celebration of the Consulate General of Japan located in New York, AMNH will include four days of family friendly activities and programs showcasing many of the arts and traditions that reflect the spirit of the Japanese people and their appreciation of nature through live performances, interactive demonstrations, and workshops. Local New York City-based Japanese cultural organizations will be on-site to perform and demonstrate their art. Activities include SAORI weaving and cherry blossom installation simulating the spring ohanami (viewing of the cherry blossoms) by Loop of the Loop; origami paper models instruction by OrigamiUSA; flower arranging by Judy Hata from the Sogetsu School of Ikebana; a cherry blossoms ink brush painting demonstration by Metro NY Sumi-e Society; and a traditional Japanese tea ceremony by Yoshihiro Terazono, tea master of the Urasenke Chanoyu Center in New York City. In addition, a three-part workshop on traditional outfit making will be offered to registered participants.

On Saturday, March 17, the celebration culminates with a traditional matsuri or folk dance festival. The day begins with a Shinto blessing ceremony by the International Shinto Foundation and welcome remarks from Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Consul General of Japan in New York; President Gary Moriwaki, Japanese American Association; and William Castro, Manhattan Borough Commissioner, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. The program includes a performance by the Okinawan Miyagi Ryu Ryukyu Dance School, Soh Daiko drum group, and, from Japan, a shadow puppet troupe performance of the folktale Princess Kaguya by Silhouette Theater TSUNOBUE. Sushi will also be featured in the Museum’s Food Court or Café on One that day. 

The Presenting Sponsor of the Museum’s cultural public programming is MetLife Foundation.

Cherry Blossoms: Japan Fest is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. 

Support for Global Weekends is made possible, in part, by the Ford Foundation, the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Inc., and the family of Frederick H. Leonhardt.

Cherry Blossoms: Japan Fest is a part of the Japan-U.S. Cherry Blossom Centennial, supported by Consulate General of Japan in New York.