JSFC Aki Matsuri (fall festival) 2026
JSFC Aki Matsuri (fall festival) 2026
Embedded Files
Come to our Aki Matsuri (fall festival) on Saturday, September 19, 2026. (Rain date September 20). This event will be on Jesup Green, outside the Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road, Westport, CT 06880, from 1:00 pm to 4 pm . (The Japanese marketplace vendors will open at 12:30.) Admission is free.
Bubble and Brew truck
NEW THIS YEAR:
Yumi McCarthy, Connecticut State Community College Japanese teacher, will lead a group calligraphy activity with Emma Oshiro.
Studio DL in Darien will make its festival debut with a J-pop dance.
BUBBLE & BREW food truck will sell matcha, other specialty teas, and baked goods.
Our festival will open with Japanese taiko drumming by New York Taiko Aiko Kai of the Taiko Society of Teacher’s College, Columbia University. They will play more sets during the festival and finish the day off with a hands-on workshop. The group has performed on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the Brooklyn Botanical Garden's Sakura Matsuri/Cherry Blossom Festival, and Japan Heritage Day.
Aikido of Norwalk and Pound Ridge Jodo will give Martial arts demonstrations.
2025 Ikebana demonstration by Judith Setsuko Hata, Roxane Wasserman, Connie Marchetti , and Shizue Pleasanton.
Ikebana experts Shizue Pleasanton, Diane Caminis, Matthew Takashi Welch will create flower arrangements with narration by Judith Setsuko Hata, internationally-known ikebana master.
Emma Oshiro will narrate her adaptation of The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter and Kaguya-hime (the Shining Princess) as it is performed. This play, based on a Japanese folk tale, is produced, written, and narrated by Emma, who makes original props out of twisted balloons.
2025 play The Story of Obon
2025 play Raccoons of Shojo Temple
We invite you to join us in Japanese Bon dances, which will be led by Bon-Dan NYC. Bon-Dan NYC is a dance group for Bon-Odori, traditional Japanese folk dance, established in 2019 based in New York City. Our folk dances are easy. Check out these links:
TANKO-BUSHI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcmwzdqfB9E&list=RDFcmwzdqfB9E&start_radio=1
AWA ODORI (Choreography and original music by Takarabune):
Facing forward: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANczoJJhPIPxM-LBkqWrmJ-XPxTtdn28
In a circle: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O6nxaYUj6OhUcJ-PzbnLfpRUlyduaQTl
HANAGASA-ONDO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pruHDou7e9s
SORAN BUSHI: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1YojjWggjh0
DANCING HERO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7q9KgK0kVE
Kyota Murai will accompany Tanko-Bushi on the traditional Japanese shamisen and Travis Suzaka will accompany Hanagasa Ondo and Soran Bushi.
Free parking is available in the three lots around the main library. Note: There is a 3 hour time limit for the lot in front of the library (Taylor Lot). See https://www.discoverwestportct.com/parking for parking information.
In case of rain, the festival will be held Sunday, September 20, 2026. Check our Facebook page or website for announcements.
With special thanks to the Consulate General of Japan in New York, Maruichi of Stamford, Obi Obi, Wilton Language Academy, Penguin Environmental Design, Aikido of Norwalk, and Walter Stewart's Market,
Page updated
Report abuse