Oshogatsu - New Year's Festival! - Morikami January 11, 2009

Oshogatsu - New Year's Festival at Morikami
When: Sunday, January 11, 2009, Time: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach, FL

Why Go?: Celebrating the Year of the Cow, Oshogatsu, the Morikami's traditional New Year celebratory festival, includes games and entertainment throughout the museum and its gardens. During Oshogatsu, families are invited to ring in new beginnings Japanese-style with traditional and unique pastimes, games and customs. The indoor/outdoor event will feature: Mochitsuki, or the popular pounding of the rice and making of mochi, large, round Japanese cakes. Kakizome, or the first calligraphy of the new year that expresses New Year's greetings, poems or other familial phrases (limited seating,
additional $2 charge) Omikuji, Japanese fortune telling Shishimai, or periodic performances by the lion dancer and taiko drumming by Fushu Daiko. Taiko drumming performances by children's taiko group Matsuriza Jr. Tea ceremony demonstrations, where participants practice serenity, peace and meditation (limited seating, additional $5 charge). Games such as Go, Hanetsuki, similar to badminton, Jan Ken Pon, similar to paper-rock-scissors and Fukuwarai, the Goddess of Happiness game - also, don't miss the kite-making craft activity and the bouncehouses!

For a complete entertainment schedule: http://www.morikami.org/

General Festival Information: Admission is $5 all ages, free for museum members and children 3 and under (no special senior discounts) There are no advance ticket sales for this event. There is free on-site parking available. The Morikami's Cornell Cafe will be serving from an a la carte menu - no
reservations are accepted - cash and credit cards are accepted. Other food vendors will be on festival grounds serving american favorites and will accept cash only. When planning your trip to Oshogatsu, please note that there are no ATM's in the park. Also, there are a limited amount of wheelchairs on-site and will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

History of Oshogatsu
Oshogatsu, or the New Year, is Japan's most important yearly observance and a time of renewal for families. The Japanese make special effort in the final days of December to clear away debts and obligations so as to start the new year afresh.

Before Oshogatsu arrives, typically on January 1, many Japanese will gather at locally prominent shrines and temples, where they greet the stroke of midnight with exclamations of "Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu!," or "Happy New Year!" At home, the celebrations include exchanging a ceremonial drink called otoso, a sweet kind of sake and enjoying a special dish called ozoni, which is a traditional stew.

The Japanese share many other holiday customs with westerners, such as sending New Year's greetings on post cards, preparing special meals, decorating a tree and visiting loved ones.

For more information call (561) 495-0233
Read article: http://www.bocamag.com/Blogs/Pick-of-the-Day/January-2009/Best-Bets-for-the-Week/

Learn more about http://fushudaiko.com

Official Website: http://morikami.org/index.php?src=events&srctype=detail&refno=3599&category=Annual%20Festivals