Sakura Festival in Washington DC
National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington DC
The NCBF is held annually in Washington DC in honor of friendship between
Japan and the United States and springtime. The famous and beautiful
cherry trees were gifted to the US by Japan in 1912 by Mayor Yukio Ozaki
of Tokyo. ISF is joined the one of big event "Japan Street festival" which is organized by Japan American Society Washington DC, every year since 2005.
[2011]
On April 9th, the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival's street festival was held in Washington D.C. The ISF was happy to participate again this year with a booth. The Festival ("Sakura Matsuri") is an annual featured event which takes place during the cherry blossom viewing in DC. Clustered on Pennsylvania Avenue, a central location in Washington, DC visitors can browse plenty of booths offering Japanese food, goods, and an introduction to Japanese culture and traditions. ISF participates annually by setting up a Shinto altar complete with offerings and bell to allow visitors a way to experience Shinto prayer. The ISF booth also exhibits a portable shrine which belongs to the Japan America Society of Washington, DC. We distributed leaflets, charms and fortune slips, and answered many questions about Shinto.
However, this year was different from other years. There were many booths appealing to the public's support for Japan's recent disaster in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Because the festival was held only one month after the disaster, the events were still fresh in everyone's mind. The ISF also provided handmade votive tablets ('ema') printed with "Pray for Japan" to visitors as a way to offer messages for the Japanese suffering from the disasters.
Many visitors wrote their positive messages, tied the tablet on the rope on the side of our booth and donated funds when we explained our proceeds from this event would be given for disaster relief in Japan. We realized so many American also sympathized with the people of Japan and were worried for the survivors. Americans spent time viewing booths where photos exhibited the devastation in Japan. They also took the time to inquire as to whether our families were safe. Thus, we are eager to share how American sympathize and pray for Japan's revival from Japan's terrible disasters, and point out how this reconfirms the original purpose of this festival - the confirmation of the ties of friendship between the United States and Japan.
The contribution of 260 dollars that had gathered on this day were donated to the stricken area through the Japan Society, New York.
On April 9th, the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival's street festival was held in Washington D.C. The ISF was happy to participate again this year with a booth. The Festival ("Sakura Matsuri") is an annual featured event which takes place during the cherry blossom viewing in DC. Clustered on Pennsylvania Avenue, a central location in Washington, DC visitors can browse plenty of booths offering Japanese food, goods, and an introduction to Japanese culture and traditions. ISF participates annually by setting up a Shinto altar complete with offerings and bell to allow visitors a way to experience Shinto prayer. The ISF booth also exhibits a portable shrine which belongs to the Japan America Society of Washington, DC. We distributed leaflets, charms and fortune slips, and answered many questions about Shinto.
However, this year was different from other years. There were many booths appealing to the public's support for Japan's recent disaster in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Because the festival was held only one month after the disaster, the events were still fresh in everyone's mind. The ISF also provided handmade votive tablets ('ema') printed with "Pray for Japan" to visitors as a way to offer messages for the Japanese suffering from the disasters.
Many visitors wrote their positive messages, tied the tablet on the rope on the side of our booth and donated funds when we explained our proceeds from this event would be given for disaster relief in Japan. We realized so many American also sympathized with the people of Japan and were worried for the survivors. Americans spent time viewing booths where photos exhibited the devastation in Japan. They also took the time to inquire as to whether our families were safe. Thus, we are eager to share how American sympathize and pray for Japan's revival from Japan's terrible disasters, and point out how this reconfirms the original purpose of this festival - the confirmation of the ties of friendship between the United States and Japan.
The contribution of 260 dollars that had gathered on this day were donated to the stricken area through the Japan Society, New York.
[2010]
The ISF participated in the Sakura Matsuri street festival with a booth providing visitors with information about Shinto. We set up a Shinto altar, Torii gates, ring and offering box. Therefore, many visitors made a long queue to pray to our temporary Shinto shrine.
We feel we are contributing to the prosperity of introducing Shinto because some American visitors kindly greeted us such as “I visited to your booth last year, too.” and “I am looking forward to visiting your booth next year.”
Furthermore, we were invited for a performance on the main stage of the Street Festival this year. Rev. Nakanishi served the purification ritual by reciting a Purification Prayer and Ms. Hayashibara then preformed Urayasu no Mai, a popular shrine maiden dance conducted by Ms. Shintaku as a Emcee. Then we received generous applause at the end of our presentation.
This is our sixth year participating in this event. We are engaged in continuing this effort in order to promote a better understanding on the part of Americans of the Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto.
The ISF participated in the Sakura Matsuri street festival with a booth providing visitors with information about Shinto. We set up a Shinto altar, Torii gates, ring and offering box. Therefore, many visitors made a long queue to pray to our temporary Shinto shrine.
We feel we are contributing to the prosperity of introducing Shinto because some American visitors kindly greeted us such as “I visited to your booth last year, too.” and “I am looking forward to visiting your booth next year.”
Furthermore, we were invited for a performance on the main stage of the Street Festival this year. Rev. Nakanishi served the purification ritual by reciting a Purification Prayer and Ms. Hayashibara then preformed Urayasu no Mai, a popular shrine maiden dance conducted by Ms. Shintaku as a Emcee. Then we received generous applause at the end of our presentation.
This is our sixth year participating in this event. We are engaged in continuing this effort in order to promote a better understanding on the part of Americans of the Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto.
[2009]
[2008]
[2007]
[2006]
[2005]
