The Top 10 'Can’t Miss' Things At Hatsume 2009! March 21, 2009

After 29 years of Hatsume at The Morikami, how do you ring in the 30th celebration? With a tribute to all things new – like anime – while embracing all things old – like thundering taiko drums. On a new weekend, March 21-22, The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will mix the popular with the innovative for a Top 10 agenda of "can’t miss" fun in 2009!

1) Come get your anime "on": A host of anime (the term for Japanese animation) attractions will come to life under the big tent at Hatsume. Among them will be Anime 101, a workshop and Q&A session on anime and manga, which are wildly popular Japanese comics.

"It’s done by an adult fan," said Damian Marchione, owner and creator of Animingle.com, a social networking site for anime, manga and video game fans. "So an adult perspective should help parents and others not familiar with anime understand what these kids are talking about."

2) Shake hands with a cartoon: On hand will be a roaming Naruto, the main character from the best-selling manga series of the same name. Inside The Morikami Theatre, ongoing anime screenings will show both days, and an anime dealer room, featuring anime-related products and artwork, will be open, said Marchione, who serves as the anime consultant to Hatsume. (animingle@gmail.com; 954-325-5138)

3) Feed your face with Pocky: Check out the Japanese candy vendor, whose offerings will no doubt include large amounts of the popular Pocky stick candy to be consumed in a new Pocky-eating contest. The Candy Man, Masaji Terasawa, will also be on-hand making his signature, edible creations and amazing audiences with his quick wit and humorous performance.

4) Dress up like your favorite Japanese doll – and compete for a prize!: Peek into the world of cosplay, short for costume play, in which fans dress up as characters from books, manga, anime, movies and games. Costumes can range from the very simple to the extremely elaborate. Avid Florida "cosplayer" Natalie Wood will judge a costume contest at Hatsume on Saturday and also display and sell her Japanese-style dolls, which are cast in polyurethane resin. Collectors often dress as their dolls, which is what Wood plans to do at Hatsume. (Natalie@ladysaiyuki.com; 727-482-0288)

"A lot of people are interested in it because it’s like an extracurricular Halloween activity," said Wood.

5) Hear the big drums: This year, Hatsume will expand its oh-so-popular taiko drumming performances by featuring both Fushu Daiko and Ronin Taiko ensembles. Tip: Nab a spot in the front early if you like the intensity; however, the drums can be heard throughout the gardens, so there no such thing as a bad taiko seat.

6) Then learn to beat the big drums: At new Taiko 101 workshops, guests will learn about the history of taiko drumming, with a lucky few allowed to beat the powerful drums themselves and experience just how exhausting and exhilarating making a big noise can be.

7) Fight as a worthy samurai: Test your survival skills in the ring with foam swords, hosted by Sleeping Samurai. Fight in individual battles or compete in a tournament for prizes. The games are fun, challenging, and best of all, you get to keep your limbs.

8) Feed koi and examine trees in pots: A line always forms to feed the colorful and hungry carp of Morikami Pond, and right behind the koi spot is an outside display of sculpted bonsai waiting to be admired.

9) Spend some coin: Are you looking for jewelry? Check! Bonsai trees? Check! Anime plushies? Check! With an array of vendors to choose from, including a wide assortment from The Morikami’s own Museum Store, you’ll enjoy some serious retail therapy.

10) Chow down: Feeling munchy? Hatsume will have traditional Japanese festival fare (tempura, yakitori, teriyaki – yum!), as well the standard hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, lemonade…well, you get the picture…

The one-day fair admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 through 17. Museum members and kids 3 and under are free. The fair will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, 2009.

Free parking is available on-site. For information, call (561) 495-0233, ext. 200.

Located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, in between Linton Boulevard and Clint Moore Road off Jog Road in Delray Beach, The Morikami encompasses a 16-acre park of renowned Japanese gardens and the Museum, which is dedicated exclusively to the living culture of Japan. For more information on The Morikami, its exhibitions and programs, call 561-495-0233 or visit www.morikami.org.

Official Website: http://www.morikami.org