The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California will hold a traditional Oshogatsu (New Year’s) celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Weller Court and Japanese Village Plaza in Little Tokyo.
The schedule (subject to change) is as follows.
• Weller Court (bounded by First, San Pedro, Second and Los Angeles streets):
10:50 a.m. Kick-off with taiko drumming
11 a.m. Opening ceremony with greetings and kagami-wari (sake barrel breaking)
11:15 a.m. Taiko performance
11:25 a.m. Shishimai (lion dance)
11:35 a.m. Mochi-maki (throwing of rice cakes)
11:40 a.m. Japanese dance
11:56 a.m. Calligraphy demonstration
12:10 p.m. Minyo (Japanese folk songs) and dance
12:40 p.m. Tsugaru shamisen
12:55 p.m. Samurai action show
1:15 p.m. Shorinji kempo
1:40 p.m. Kendo dojo
2:05 p.m. Kimono fashion show
2:20 p.m. Mochi-maki
2:25 p.m. Awa Odori (dance)
3 p.m. Closing
• Japanese Village Plaza (between First and Second streets, east of San Pedro, west of Central):
11 a.m. Kimono Club’s Miss Kimono Contest, koto performance
12 p.m. Kick-off with taiko drumming
12:10 p.m. Opening ceremony with greetings
12:25 p.m. Mochi-maki
12:30 p.m. Shishimai and taiko performance
1:15 p.m. Kimono fashion show
1:35 p.m. Minyo and dance
1:55 p.m. Samurai action show
2:20 p.m. Mochi-maki
2:25 p.m. Nebuta Odori
3 p.m. Closing
There will also be games, crafts and other activities for kids in Frances Hashimoto Plaza, across Second Street from JVP.