Japan day blossoms out in NYC
by Michelle Tejada, staff reporter
Celebrated every year since 2007, Central Park holds the Japan Day event. The event takes place every year as a celebration of Japanese culture for the Japanese community. This year, it was held last Sunday on May 8th starting with the Japan run at 8:00am and ending with the festival at 4:30pm.
At 10:30am, the stage in Rumsey Playfield was filled with singing, dancing, painting, and many other performances. Admissions were first come first serve at this program.
“My favorite part of Japan Day was the face painting, I felt so eccentric. I also liked that it ended up being on a day where there’s good weather because it made the festival really lively,” senior Chris Stena said.
During the tent activities people were able to try on yukatas and experience what it was like to wear one. It is usually worn at summer festivals while watching fireworks or or casual purposes. Kabuki face painting was a major hit. Many people participated in this activity.
Other activities included yo-yo fishing, learning how to craft origami, calligraphy, in which people were able to write their names or any word by japanese black ink, broadcast TV Japan, and lastly, the Hello Kitty photo booth.
“I love the culture, the activities like the face painting, trying on yukatas, and cosplays,” attendee Merlin Ruan said.
Not only were there face painting, cosplay and lots of other entertainments, but there were Japanese cuisines as well. From 11:30am to 2:30pm, people tried cultural Japanese food. The food tent was located near the Bandshell area. It had hand crafted candy; amezaiku and chocolate, lunch; onigiri, gyoza, ramen, okonomiyaki, and snacks.
“What I like is the way everything was put together. There’s a variety of things you can do and everyone looks like they are having fun,” attendee Angel Torrens said.
This year’s Japan Day accepted donations for the relief of the Kumamoto earthquake, which occurred on April 14, in the charity tent. The earthquake’s damage is scattered through the Kyushu region. Anyone who wanted to help was able to donate and if one donated more than $20, they were given a Japan Day charity T-shirt.