Oshogatsu January 10, 2010

The Year of the Tiger marks 2010, and the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will begin the New Year with its 33rd annual Oshogatsu celebration on Sunday, January 10, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Truly a family festival, Oshogatsu is a popular event for residents and visitors of all ages, featuring unique Japanese pastimes, games and customs. This year’s Oshogatsu will include:

• Mochitsuki, the pounding of the rice and making of mochi, large, round Japanese cakes.
• Musical performances by Friends of Koto
• Kakizome, the first calligraphy of the new year that expresses New Year’s greetings, poems or other familial phrases (limited seating, additional $3 charge)
• Omikuji, Japanese fortune telling
• Shishimai, periodic performances by the lion dancer and taiko drumming by Fushu Daiko
• Tea ceremony demonstrations, where participants practice serenity, peace and meditation (limited reservations, additional $5 charge)
• A variety of games including Go, Hanetsuki (similar to badminton), Daruma Otoshi (wood block game) and Fukuwarai, the Goddess of Happiness game
• Bouncehouses and arts & crafts

New! for this year, the Morikami will include the Kirin Beer Garden that is featured at Hatsume and Obon festivals. Guests will enjoy Kirin Japanese beers at $4 for draft and $5 for bottles, redeemable with tickets.

Official Website: http://www.morikami.org