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WWW.THEEASTSIDESCENE.COM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
FREE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE | WWW.THEEASTSIDESCENE.COM | SEPT 2016
A Japanese affair in Bellevue
First Japan Fair featuring food, art, performances and more set for Sept. 3-4
{ { Taiko drums (pictured) is one component of the first Japan Fair, which will feature culture, education and more Photo by
Ryan Murray
By Ryan Murray
A
thriving Japanese community in Seattle and Bellevue will celebrate its heritage at the First Annual Japan Fair in early September in Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center. The fair continues an 18-year tradition of celebrating Japanese culture with the Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival). The Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association had presented the two-day program of Japanese culture, education and fun. The Japan Fair will still have the elements of the Aki Matsuri under a new name this Sept. 3 and 4 at the Meydenbauer Center, including food, art, performances and even a cosplay contest. A new nonprofit organization was in the works to support Japan Fair. Masahiro Omura, the Consul General of Japan in Seattle, wrote about the two events. “On behalf of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who made Aki Matsuri the premiere Japanese cultural event on the Eastside for so many years,” he said. “I look forward with great anticipation to this new event, which will hopefully continue to strengthen the ties between Japan and the United States by showcasing Japanese arts, culture and businesses with the residents of Bellevue and beyond.” Yuka Shimizu, an Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association committee member, said the group is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend the free event. Artists can appreciate booths celebrating ikebana, the traditional art of flower arranging, or bonsai trees or anime, taiko drums and Japanese styles of painting. And for hungry fair-goers, ramen, takoyaki (fried octopus), ramune (Japanese cane-sugar soda), yakisoba and bento boxes will fill stomachs.
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