Begin the New Year by learning to write Japanese words and phrases associated with the holiday. Children and parents of all ages will experience the time-honored classics of brush and sumi ink calligraphy art. 

Guests pound rice dough in a large mortar (usu) with a wooden mallet (kine) and enjoy this traditional cultural experience first-hand! Then, participants are invited to make decorative mochi called Kagami-mochifrom the pounded dough. (Edible mochi, prepared by a local Japanese vendor will also be available for purchase.)

Play Fukuwarai, which roughly translates to “Lucky Laugh,” by assembling a face by placing paper cutouts of wacky facial features on a blank face while blindfolded. Observer and players alike get a rise out of this traditional children’s game.

Ready-Set-Go! Race to create a pair of phrases read by a third player before the other participants beat you to it. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins! Try your hand…and ears…as the game is played in Japanese and English. You can also create your own set of original Karuta cards to take home and play with family, friends, and schoolmates!

Design your own traditional Japanese kite! Assemble the frame from bamboo and decorate it with any number of festive designs to add a personal touch.

Is it just a story? How are myths and folktales told through Kamishibai (paper-theater)? Listen here to popular New Year’s folktales such as “Hats for the Jizos” and “How the Years Were Named” as your perspectives and viewpoints are built up and encouraged through the power of story. Put your listening ears on as each story will be performed in English and Japanese.