Previous Story
Japanese Spring Festival pushes through
|
Posted on Feb 19 2019
The Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas would push through with the Japanese Festival this Saturday.
The Japanese Spring Festival 2019, which is intended to promote the Japanese culture on Saipan, will take place this year at the Paseo de Marianas from 5pm to 9pm.
The festival used to be held at the Sugar King Park in Garapan. It is being held this year to signify the island’s resilience in the wake of Super Typhoon Yutu.
At the same time, February is the month “for welcoming the spring season…[which] is regarded as the time when everybody starts feeling the new life coming up after the long winter season in Japan,” said society chair Masato Tezuka in a statement.
The festival will feature a bazaar, along with traditional demonstrations and dances such as a kendo performance and an awaodori performance.
Kendo is a traditional Japanese martial art rooted from Japanese swordsmanship known as kenjutsu. Kendo, instead of real swords, use bamboo swords known as shinai while its practitioners use protective armor known as bogu.
Awaodori, on the other hand, is a dance typically demonstrated in festivals and celebrations and is regarded as the largest dance festival in Japan.
The festival, according to Tezuka, would also feature some products sent by the mayor of Katori, Japan in support of the #MarianaStrong spirit.
“There are possibilities for both Saipan and Katori to create the sister-city program in the future,” said Tezuka adding that the gifts are limited in number and will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
“This festival is one of many examples of the historic ties between the Marianas and Japan, and our society is warmly welcoming all residents and visitors,” Tezuka added.
