Japanese Festival in Spring

Posted August 4th, 2015 in Perth WA No Comments »

It’s August now and we are in the middle of winter in Perth. It’s cold, but I noticed the day is getting longer compared to few weeks ago. Spring may be just around the corner.

As spring approaches, I’m getting busy for the preparations for an event which will be held on 24th October in Melville. I’m in a committee and in charge of kids activities. This event, recently finalized its name as “Melville Matsuri”, is a festival introducing Japanese culture and background to local people. It’s a charity event and there will be a lot of activities for all ages at a gold coin donation or even for FREE!

For children, there will be…

Yo-Yo (mizu-fusen)
Jinbei (Japan’s traditional summer dress) dress-up & photo booth
lucky dip
Japanese letter drawing on the body (like temporary tattoo using a non-toxic pen)
origami
uchiwa (Japan’s traditional fan) making

and much more. There will also be a grand final of paper-plane competition for primary school children in City of Melville during the festival.

For adults, there will be…

ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) demonstration & workshop
Japanese tea ceremony demonstration & workshop
kimono (Japanese traditional gown) demonstration & workshop

and much more. Lots of displays & demonstration featuring Japanese culture (bonsai, taiko performance, cosplay etc) too. And, of course, some yummy Japanese food & drinks!!

The final flyer hasn’t been completed yet, but as soon as it’s done I will post here again.

Melville Matsuri is on Saturday 24th October, 3pm ~ 9pm :
Paper plane competition 4pm – 5pm
Paper Plane film from 7pm – 9pm
All activities, workshop & food stalls 3pm – 6 or 7pm
At … Frederick Baldwin Park, Le Souef Dve, Kardinya WA

On the same month, there will be another Japanese event in City Beach. There is Hyogo Cultural Centre in City Beach, and Shichigosan ceremony will be held there on 10th of October.

Their vision is –
“To give these children an opportunity to experience this festival that they miss in Japan. It is the first time the children are officially allowed to wear their traditional clothes (also rite of passage). The special ages of the children are 7, 5 & 3 years of age. The children are also given special 1000 year old sweets (Chitose-Ame) to ensure a long life.” (- from their 2014 website) (they haven’t created 2015 version yet)

It’s a great opportunity for families with children aged 3, 5 or 7 who can’t go back to Japan but still want to cerebrate shichigosan. They can do it here in Perth. There will be some food stalls as well. I’m not in committee of this event, but I am planning to sell some food at the stall. My children are 4 & 1 years old, and we are going back to Japan next year so we will be cerebrating shichigosan then – so I’m not attending this event with my family.

Perth Shichigosan Festival is on Saturday 10th October, possibly 12pm ~ (not sure yet)
At … Hyogo Cultural Centre
20 Kalinda Dve, City Beach WA
(08) 9385 9002

I will update when it’s close to the date!