Japan day
Sunday April 21, 2024
Library Quad
"Sac State" California State University, Sacramento
🎊2024 Japan Day was very successful!
We're pleased to share that we had a robust turnout (with around 500 participants) throughout the day, including 130 dedicated volunteers and 80 talented performers. A heartfelt thank you to the Japan Club for their year-long dedication, which was crucial to our success. We also enjoyed fruitful collaborations with other student groups such as the Soran Bushi (dance) Club, Go Club, and Anime and Manga Club. Thanks to the support from local high school teachers, we were also fortunate to welcome over fifty high school volunteers. This community engagement was instrumental in making the event successful. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful day.
Media Coverage
KCRA covered our participation in the Festival of Arts on April 21 https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-state-festival-of-arts-2024/60561494
Prior to the event, two of our students were featured on Studio 40, promoting the event. https://fox40.com/studio-40/japan-day-at-sac-state/
2024 Japan Day Photos by Sean Hidalgo. Click the photo link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/1xJWmrWSrwxnQBgR6
Japan Club (Sac State) facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150411051997
Japan Club (Sac State) instagram https://www.instagram.com/japanclubcsus/
Taiko
Performance
Learning Table
Dance
Every spring, we celebrate Japanese language and culture during “Japan Day.” This year marks the 17th anniversary of Japan Day, which is hosted by the Sac State Japanese Program and Japan Club as part of the Festival of Arts’ Sunday Funday. The theme for this year is “Omotenashi - Japanese hospitality," and the event features a variety of traditional and modern performances, including a Taiko drumming performance at 1:00pm, martial arts demonstrations, cosplay, Sac State’s Soran Bushi dance, and more. In addition, there are many hands-on learning activities available, such as origami, calligraphy, board games, drawing, and dancing.
Free Event
Open to Public
Free parking is available in Structure 3, floors 1-2 (see map for location)! Parking PDF Map
What is Japan Day ? 🇯🇵
by Christian Lopez
Japan Day 2022 YouTube Video Playlist https://bit.ly/3TGNrtk
2021 Virtual J-Day
J-Day 2017 ; J-Day 2016 ; J-Day 2015 (Photos/Videos by Emma Stewart); J-Day 2022: Link to Photos & Videos
J-Day 2023: Link to photos; More photo: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150411051997
Japan Day 2024 Brochure
Japan Day’s Zen Garden Fountain, made of Paper and Ropes Explanation
2024 Stage Performances
10:00 AM Introductions & "Welcome to the 17th annual Japan Day"
10:15 AM Opening Act - Soran Bushi Dance Performance by Sac State's Japan Club
Led by Paolo Hidalgo and Jacob Ma
10:20 AM Samurai Demonstration
Led by Tip Sayamnath and Isaac Cortez
10:30 AM Radio Taiso
Led by Joshua Opada
10:35 AM Open Mic🎤 Act/Performance
11:05 AM Rakugo Performance
By Michael Gery
"Colors of Tradition" with shishimai
11:30am - 12:00pm Library Quad
Rieko Kotoku
Shi shi mai
By Miyo Uchida
Shishi mai is commonly known as Lion dance - a festive dance performed in lion costumes at celebrations and festivals during the New Year. There are various versions of lion dance. This will be a Japanese version.
For more information: https://toyama-bunkaisan.jp/en/features/2833/
12:15 PM Bun-Eating Contest (pankui kyousou パン食い競走)
12:30 PM Open Mic🎤 Act/Performance
1:00 PM Koyasan Taiko Performance
By Koyasan Spirit of Children Taiko We also have a priest from Koyasan temple: https://nckoyasan.org
1:50 PM Jiu Jitsu Performance
In recent times, Ju-Jutsu has become known as an effective form of self-defense, an international sport, and an integral component of mixed martial arts. While Ju-Jutsu was a battlefield martial art practiced by the Samurai in Japan, the art was brought to Brazil after the immigration of Japanese people to the Americas began in 1908. In Brazil, the martial art of Ju-Jutsu became known as a hand to hand combat art. As the art was practiced in Brazil, the martial art gradually became to be practiced as a sport. With a new sounding name, Jiu-Jitsu, the sport and martial art was presented to the world through UFC 1 in 1993, and the world championships in 1996. At Japan Day, practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu will demonstrate some of the different strangles, joint locks, throws and positional holds.
2:20 PM Alumni Guest Performance - Passion Fruit
By Kris Hidalgo and Vicky Tran
2:35 PM Open 🎤 Act/Performance + Cosplay Showcase
Sign up for the Cosplay Showcase through the volunteer form
2:55 PM Soran Bushi Dance Performance by Sac State's Japan Club
Led by Paolo Hidalgo and Jacob Ma
3:00 PM Closing Remarks
By Japan Club
2024 Japan Day Learning Tables
Quadrant 1 Leader: Eric Lekvichitthada
Welcome Table
Lead: Prof. Vassil
Snack Sales Table
Lead: Audrey Lee
Pin-making Table
Lead: Addison Baylor
Create your own custom pins inspired by Japanese designs.
Card-making Table
Lead: Kaylene Ly
Design unique cards using Japanese motifs and techniques.
Picking beans using chopsticks
Lead: Connor Dominik
Master the art of using chopsticks by participating in our bean-picking challenge.
Hanafuda Table - Card Game
Lead: Emma Ketsavong
Learn to play Hanafuda and enjoy this classic Japanese card game.
Go Table - Board Game
Lead: Julian Roldan
Engage in the ancient board game of Go, a test of tactics and foresight.
Shogi Table - Japanese Chess
Lead: Alexander Kinney
Challenge yourself with Shogi, the Japanese variant of chess.
Lead: Kyle Palado
Try your hand at Kendama, a traditional cup-and-ball skill game.
Calligraphy Table
Lead: Justin Huang
Experience the grace and discipline of Japanese calligraphy.
Quadrant 2 Leader: Thomas Lang
Origami and Paper Crane
Lead: Brayden O'Donnell
Learn about a story of Sadako and the relationship between paper crane and peace. Let's learn how to fold a paper crane, pray for world peace, and write a message in various languages. For more information, click the link. '
Artist Alley
Lead: Karena Chiu
Meet local artists, watch them create, and receive personalized caricature drawings.
Nigaoe Drawing Booth
Lead: Karena Chiu
Lead: Kanboo Priest (community member)
Gain spiritual insights directly from a Buddhist priest from Northern California's Koyasan Temple.
"Hello, This is Northern California Koyasan Buddhist Temple located at 1400 U St. Our temple was established about 100 years ago by the first generation of Japanese immigrants and moved to its current location in 1970. In one of the Japanese traditions, people would go to Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines to get some charm talismans to minimize their misfortune or to give them to someone as souvenirs. We will pray for you!
Lead: Cynthia Chaponot (community member)
Learn about the first Japanese colony in the U.S. and its legacy with the American River Conservancy.
Historical site (1st Japanese colony in US by delegation from Aizu, Japan), American River Conservancy
Learn about the first Japanese colony in the U.S. and its legacy with the American River Conservancy.
Historical site (1st Japanese colony in US by delegation from Aizu, Japan), American River Conservancy
Lead: Gloria Esepjo (community member)
Visit Matsuyama and other places in Ehime
Explore Sacramento’s sister city, Matsuyama, and other locations in Ehime prefecture.
Visit Matsuyama and other places in Ehime
Explore Sacramento’s sister city, Matsuyama, and other locations in Ehime prefecture.
Davis Senior High School Kakehashi Project: Cultural Experiences in Tokyo & Okinawa
Lead: Naoko McHale (teacher), Ronin Cook; Kai Leonard; Wayn Liao; Will Messner; Amelia Thacker
Discover cultural experiences from Tokyo and Okinawa through local student stories.
Discover cultural experiences from Tokyo and Okinawa through local student stories.
Sakura Gakuen Table
Lead: Tomomi Flesuras
https://www.buddhistchurch.org/sakura-gakuen
Engage with Japanese language and culture in a community setting.
https://www.buddhistchurch.org/sakura-gakuen
Engage with Japanese language and culture in a community setting.
Quadrant 3 Leader: Jacob Ma
DJ/MC Table
Lead: Kris Hidalgo, DJ
Lead: Austin Quaintance
Explore your future with Japanese-style fortune telling.
Tanabata
Lead: Austin Quaintance
Make a wish under our Tanabata tree, a charming festival tradition.
Samurai / Sumo
Lead: Isaac Cortez & Tip Sayamnath
Witness the power and precision of samurai swordplay and putting on Sumo Costume.
Anime and Manga Table
Lead: Anime and Manga Club
Cosplay: showcase with various cosplay props and advice on how to get into cosplay for any newcomers without the need for it to be expensive whilst maintaining quality.
Games/Art: Showcase of various arts and crafts based items as well as game related hobbies which include model kits, clay figures, trading card games (yugioh and digimon). Also, we will be giving beginner friendly advice on how to enter these hobbies.
Fundraising Table (Japan's Earthquake]
Lead: Yuji Deai
Thank you Kiyo's Floral Design for their donation of Ikebana. What does it mean? Click HERE for explanation.
Quadrant 4 Leader: Gage Clark
Omotenashi with Ikebana
Ikebana flower was donated by Kiyo's Floral Design Link
Special thanks to Kiyo's Floral Design.
Tea Ceremony by Shiori Kobayashi sensee - Tea Presentation LINK (Tea)
Kimono and Photo Booth
Lead: Miskow sensee
Try on kimonos and capture the moment in our themed photo booth.
Try on kimonos and capture the moment in our themed photo booth.
Japan Jeopardy / Culture Table
Lead: Miskow sensee
Test your knowledge about Japanese culture at our interactive quiz station.
Ohajiki (How to play)
Lead: Miskow sensee
Manzai / Rakugo
Lead: Geri Michael and Andrew
"We will provide a brief overview of Japanese traditional comedy arts Rakugo and Manzai. We will do so by summarizing popular stories like Jugemu, comparing/contrasting Manzai with Western comedy (such as “Who’s on First”), and introducing popular performers for guests who wish to learn more. Additionally, we will have rakugo props at the table for display."
Laugh and learn with demonstrations of Rakugo and Manzai, forms of Japanese comedic storytelling.
Japanese Language Learning
Lead: Winston Cardozo
We will teach you Japanese. We can also write your name in Katakana!
Lead: Lance Saltzen & Taqua Al Dabbagh
Have fun twisting your tongue with tricky Japanese phrases
Special Activities
Open Mic Act
We welcome everyone! (Sign up on the day of the event)
Tobiiri Karaoke *tobiiri - participating without registering beforehand - if you want to join, bring your own music. Let MCs know you want to sing! Talk to people at Welcome Table.
Radio Exercise
Let's exercise! Led by Josha Opada
Shouting in Japanese! Led by Masuyama sensee
Bun-Eating Contest
Get a donut without using your hands! Led by Kelly sensee
Singing
"Ue wo Muite Aruko (I look up when I walk", known as "sukiyaki song"
Lead:
Other Fun Activities
Wanage - Ring Toss
Origami Plane Flying Contest
Virtual trips to Japan (Watch out QR Code Posting!)
https://www.japan.travel/brochures/eng/index.php
Tokyo: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1032.pdf
Tochigi - North of Tokyo: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/896.pdf
Kyoto: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1487.pdf
https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1485.pdf
Kyoto: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1487.pdf
Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1607.pdf
https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1630.pdf
Virtual Trip to Aomori Nebuta and other activities in Tohoku: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/353.pdf
Virtual Trip to Sendai Tanabata: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1367.pdf
Virtual Trip to Aizu Wakamatsu and other places in Fukushima: https://partners-pamph.jnto.go.jp/simg/pamph/1484.pdf
Japan Day Organizers
Paolo Hidalgo — Japan Club president
Michael Forman — treasurer
Eric Lekvichitthada — secretary
Nobumasa Masubuchi — event / outreach
Jacob Ma — event / outreach
Thomas Lang — event / outreach
Gage Clark — event / outreach
Yuji Deai — event / outreach
Tip Sayamnath — cultural ambassador
Nathan Piedad — social media
Ryan Abulencia & Jay Hilario — historians
Audrey Lee & Mika Harris — graphic designers
Karena Chiu — advisor
Check out Japan Club's Official Facebook and Instagram
Japan Club Adviser - Prof. Kazue Masuyama (masuyama@csus.edu)