Bunka-Sai 50th Annual Japanese Cultural Festival

Bunka-Sai is our annual Japanese cultural festival and major fundraiser for the student cultural exchange program. This two-day event is free to the public and features authentic presentations of dance, vocal and instrumental music, flower arranging, bonsai, tea ceremony, calligraphy, martial arts, story reading, and games for kids. Free hands-on demos of origami and calligraphy, and lectures on bonsai and ikebana by local experts.

Enjoy tasty plate lunches, sweets, arts and craft items, cultural performances, dance, music, martial arts, exhibitions, demonstrations.

Schedule of Events

11:00 am - 5:00pm: Culture: Amezaiku Japanese Candy Artist: Shan Ichiyanagi
11:15 am - 11:35am: Taiko: Fred Visaya and LA Miyake Kai
11:35 am - 11:40am: Welcome Speeches
11:45 am - 12:15pm: Tea Ceremony: Urasenke Tanko Kai Los Angeles Association
12:15 pm - 12:30pm: Announcement: Anime Contest winner presentations
12:40 pm - 1:05pm: Martial Arts: Torrance Kendo Dojo
1:15 pm - 1:45pm: Music: LA's 33 Strings (Japanese Music Ensemble)
1:55 pm- 2:25pm: Martial Arts: South Bay Judo Club
2:35 pm - 2:50pm: Music: Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko (Okinawan Drums)
2:50 pm - 3:05pm: Dance: Tamagusuguryu Kansen Atae No Kai (Okinawan Dance)
3:15 pm - 3:45pm: Music: Fuji Japanese Music (Japanese Music)
3:55 pm - 4:20pm: Music: Shusaku and Tsumugi (Tsugaru Shamisen)
4:30 pm-5:00pm: Taiko: Prota
12:00 pm-12:30pm: Ikenobo: Flower arrangement demo by Minamitani Semho
1:00 pm-2:00pm: Bonsai: Horticulture demonstration by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
2:30 pm-3:00pm: Kamishibai: Japanese story reading for children
3:30 pm - 4:30pm: Bonsai: Horticulture demonstration by Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai
12:00 pm - to 3:00pm: Hands-on Japanese calligraphy-Beikoku Shodo Kenkyu Kai
12:00 pm - to 4:00pm: Hands-on origami paper folding led by Yoko Sekine