The City of Monterey Park’s 18th annual Cherry Blossom Festival was held April 18 and 19 in Barnes Park, offering a variety of entertainment, cultural demonstrations, crafts and food. Above and below: Cosplay contests in which models dressed as their favorite characters from anime, manga and video games.
Marian Masako Kubota and Carolyn Kubota Morinishi signed copies of their new book, “Japanese Culture 4 Kids.”
The San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District and other vendors offered games and prizes.
Hawaiian dances were performed by Halau Hula ‘a’ alu Anuhea.
Kotobuki no Kai performed on the indoor stage.
Okinawan drumming by Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko.
Stone Ishimaru displayed photos of the World War II internment camps.
Above and below: Japanese classical dances were performed by Fujima Kansei Odori Kai.
Left: Sogetsu Ikebana offered mini-lessons in flower arranging. Right: Brian Kito of Fugetsudo gave a manju-making demonstration with free samples.
Andy Matsuda of the Sushi Chef Institute gave a demonstration.
Crafts for kids included spin art.
Drumming by Yoki Daiko.
A martial arts demonstration by David Torres Kempo Karate.
The Mark Keppel High School Aztec Singers.
Nagauta, percussion and shamisen music for kabuki.
Storytellers Sunny and Judy Seki acted out “The Tale of the Lucky Cat” with volunteers from the audience.
Little Tokyo’s Tanabata Festival had a craft table.
Tea ceremony demonstrations were given on both days.
U.S.-Chinese Wu Shu Martial Arts gave an action-packed demonstration.
Karen Ogawa, festival chairperson, and Grant Ishibashi cooked meat at the food court.
Dancers with Azuma Kotobuki Kai.
UCLA’s Kyodo Taiko.
Photos by MARIO G. REYES and J.K. YAMAMOTO/Rafu Shimpo