Ring In The Year Of The Cow At The Morikami Museum's 32nd Annual Oshogatsu New Year’s Celebration January 11, 2009

Delray Beach, FL – December 3, 2008 – The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will be hosting the 32nd annual Oshogatsu festival, the traditional New Year’s celebration, on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During Oshogatsu, families are invited to ring in new beginnings Japanese-style with traditional and unique pastimes, games and customs. Celebrating the Year of the Cow, this year’s Oshogatsu will feature a variety of games and entertainment throughout the museum and its gardens including:
• Mochitsuki, the popular pounding of the rice and making of mochi, large, round Japanese cakes.
• Kakizome, the first calligraphy of the new year that expresses New Year’s greetings, poems or other familial phrases (limited seating, additional $2 charge)
• Omikuji, Japanese fortune telling
• Shishimai, periodic performances by the lion dancer and taiko drumming by Fushu Daiko
• Taiko drumming performances by children's taiko group Matsuriza Jr.
• Tea ceremony demonstrations, where participants practice serenity, peace and meditation (limited seating, additional $5 charge)
• A variety of games including Go, Hanetsuki (similar to badminton), Jan Ken Pon (similar to paper-rock-scissors) and Fukuwarai, the Goddess of Happiness game
• Kite-making craft activity
• Origami folding demonstrations (origami accessories and children’s kits will be available for purchase).
• Bounce Houses

“Oshogatsu combines tradition, culture and entertainment, making it an enjoyable outing for the entire family,” said Kizzy Sanchez, Events Manager at The Morikami Museum. “Plus, at only $5 per person, the festival is an affordable day of pure fun!”

Admission for the festival is $5, free for museum members and children under 3. The Morikami’s Cornell Café will be open and a variety of American and Japanese food will also be available from vendors throughout the festival grounds. For additional information, please call 561.495.0233 or visit www.morikami.org.

Oshogatsu is Japan’s most important yearly observance and a time of renewal for families. The Japanese make special effort in the final days of December to clear away debts and obligations so as to start the new year afresh. Before Oshogatsu arrives, typically on January 1, many Japanese will gather at locally prominent shrines and temples, where they greet the stroke of midnight with exclamations of “Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!,” or “Happy New Year!” At home, the celebrations include exchanging a ceremonial drink called otoso, a sweet kind of sake and enjoying a special dish called ozoni, which is a traditional stew. The Japanese share many other holiday customs with westerners, such as sending New Year’s greetings on post cards, preparing special meals, decorating a tree and visiting loved ones.
Additional Morikami Holiday Happenings:

• December 23 • Tuesday – January 4, 2009 • Sunday – Making a New Year Calendar - Year of the Cow
(All ages)
Cost: Free with paid museum admission
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Museum Lobby
Reservations are not required
For more information, please call 561-495-0233.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, is owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, in public-private partnership with The Morikami, Inc. The Morikami is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach off Jog Road between Linton Boulevard and Clint Moore Road. Non-festival/regular admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $6 for children and students ages 7 to 17 and free for members and kids 6 and under. For more information about The Morikami, its exhibitions and programs, call 561-495-0233 or visit www.morikami.org.

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