January 10: O-Shogatsu New Year's Festival @ Japanese Gardens
Ask people in Japan to name their most important holiday and most will answer O-Shogatsu, or New Year's. The holiday is a time for family and friends to celebrate this auspicious day and wish for good health and blessing in the New Year.
O-Shogatsu New Year's Festival
Sekko Daigo
photo: Jonathan Ley
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Noon-3pm in the Garden Pavilion
Free with Garden Admission
The Portland Japanese Garden celebrates O-Shogatsu with a special family day on Sunday, January 10. Bring your family and friends for a hands-on experience with the practice of Kakizome, the traditional custom of writing of the first calligraphy characters of the New Year. Children in Japan are encouraged to write a few characters with a new brush in the very best style they can for good luck with their studies over the coming year. Beautiful calligraphy is as highly appreciated as painting in Japan, but guided by Japanese interns of Richmond Elementary School, participants need no experience writing in Japanese to enjoy this traditional New Year's practice.
2010 is the “Year of the Tiger,” according to the Chinese zodiac (also observed in Japan). Tiger people, born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998, are said to be sensitive, given to deep thinking, and capable of great sympathy.
Try your hand at sumi-e ink painting led by artist Chiho Murphy and make a Nengajo New Year's greeting card with an image of the Tiger to take home.
