Discover Wow in Japanese culture

Festivals always make me so excited!
There are numerous festivals (matsuri) in Japan throughout the year.

I had the wonderful opportunity to experience some of Japan's most treasured traditional festivals this year.
The Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo is lively and energetic, the Aoi Matsuri in Kyoto is an elegant festival with a procession of people dressed in traditional Imperial court costumes, and the Snow Festival in Hokkaido features huge, elaborate snow sculptures.
Each one was truly unique and offered its own special charm.
I'm very happy to share these amazing festivals with all of you.

I'll also be introducing you to some of the beloved traditional festival foods from various food stalls.
If you have a favorite festival food from Hawaii or anywhere else you've been, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to share it with us during our event.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the presentation!

Have you seen the US TV drama “Shogun”? It is this year's Emmy Award-winning film. Even if you haven't seen it, did you know that “Shogun” was a hot topic? Or have you read the original story, the book by James Clavell? While the story is fictional, there is real history behind the story's historical context.
The Englishman in the story, Anjin, or Blackthorn as he is called in the story, drifted ashore in Japan in 1600. He was the first foreign samurai in Japanese history. We will also talk about a remarkable African Samurai who lived about 20 years before him. Please listen to it.