Celebrate and Learn About Japanese Culture at MiraCosta's Japanese Spring Festival

A koto performance, Japanese dancers and a tea ceremony are just some of the activities planned for MiraCosta College’s  Japanese Spring Festival, scheduled for April 23-24 at the college’s Oceanside campus, located at 1 Barnard Drive. The festival offers a glimpse of Japanese culture for students and community members.  Admission and parking to all of the events is open and free to the public.

On Wednesday, April 23 in Room 3601, the following events will be held:

1 p.m.       Koto performance: Yuki Easter and the Southern California Koto Ensemble                                      

1:40 p.m.  Japanese traditional dance: Bandoo Mitsuhiro Group

2:15 p.m.  Okinawa Shamisen performance: Hanashiro Minyo Kenkyusho, Emiko Hanashiro, Fumio Kono,                       Yoko Gallant, Mieko Sandoval

2:45 p.m.  Haiku kites: Students, faculty and staff will submit original haiku, which will be displayed on kites.

                The poetry will be read and prizes will be awarded.

3:10 p.m.  Japanese tea ceremony: Urasenke Tankokai San Diego Association, Soko Fosket, Noriko                                 McDaniel, Linda Sieh

On Thursday, April 24, a taiko drumming performance by Vista Buddhist Temple Shoken-ji Taiko is scheduled for 12:15 p.m., at the Student Pavilion.

MiraCosta’s International Film Series will present a Japanese film on Friday, April 25 to coincide with the Japanese Spring Festival. The 2006 film “Hula Girls” (not rated) will have two showings: 1 p.m. in Room 201 at the San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff,  and 7 p.m. in Room 3601 at the Oceanside campus. The film will be presented in Japanese with English subtitles.

For additional information, contact MiraCosta Japanese instructor Noriko Kameda at her e-mail address or (760) 757-2121 ext. 7757.