Although the Japanese Student Association's 6th annual Sakura Festival had to be moved indoors Saturday because of bad weather, the audience still got the chance to experience Japanese culture.
JSA sold out its tickets for traditional Japanese lunch boxes, and people still showed up to buy them, said JSA treasurer Yuko Nagata, adding that she was worried participants would not enjoy new venue.
But even with more than 450 people in the Ping Center lounge and a shortage of chairs, the change in venue worked out, said Hiroyuki Oshita, an Ohio University Japanese professor and adviser for the JSA.
The festival celebrates the blooming of the cherry blossom trees, or sakuras in Japanese.
About 200 Sakuras line the Hocking River on the bike path, a gift from Chubu University in Kasugai City, Japan, in 1973, said Josep Rota, associate provost for international affairs.
The trees are a prominent symbol in Japan, and their blooming is an event everyone anticipates because it means spring is here, and trees have survived winter, Oshita said.
Oshita said he was happy many people got a taste of Japan, especially with the opening performance from professional drummers.
Ryo Shiobara and Takumi Kato, two internationally renowned musicians, kicked off this year's festival with a traditional taiko drum performance. Taiko is Japanese for big drum
said Oshita.
We are very lucky to have (Shiobara and Kato) come Oshita said.
The drummers weren't the only taste of Japan participants received. Before the opening act, traditional Japanese lunch boxes were served from Columbus-based Akaihana.
Other events included a musical performance by The Leftovers, an ensemble that played four pieces ' including a Japanese version of If you're happy and you know it clap you hands ' and a kendo demonstration by the OU Kendo Club.
Kendo is the Japanese martial art of fencing. Meaning way of the sword
it was used by samurais as a form of training, said Kyle Johnston, a sophomore marine biology major and member of the Kendo Club.
Following the demonstration were three dances: The Raijin, Haruhi and Soran Bushi.
Oshita said he thinks the Soran Bushi made many students interested in the festival; 33 students performed the dance.
Soran Bushi is a fisherman's song because the movements are similar to those a fisherman would make,-
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Takumi Kato (left) and Ryo Shiobara perform a traditional Japanese drum ensemble Saturday in Ping Center during the 2008 Sakura Festival presented by the Japanese Student Association. The event featured a traditional Japanese meal, games, music and kendo,
