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Welcome!
Welcome to the 46th annual (virtual) Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival! This year’s theme is “Soul of Artisans”. As such, the Japanese community here and abroad submitted videos covering Japanese tradition, contemporary art, music, dance, and even cooking demonstrations! NHK WORLD-JAPAN is also sponsoring a special series of documentaries, including a 4-part series about Hayao Miyazaki.
Please use the tabs above to browse our content – we have divided things up into daily programming chunks, but all videos will be accessible anytime. The full lineup of listings can be viewed here.
And of course, don’t forget to check out the local Japanese businesses that make all of this possible! For more information on Seattle’s Japanese community, click here.
Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival was initiated by a gift of 1,000 cherry trees that were given to Seattle in 1976 by Japan’s Prime Minister, Takeo Miki, in commemoration of America’s bicentennial and the long friendship between the people of Japan and Washington state.
Seattle Cherry Blossom Japanese Cultural Festival Committee Chair
Cherry Blossom Co-Chairs, Mariko Faught and Linda Vane
Demonstrations – Beginners tutorial by Akemi Segawa, Sogetsu School Instructor/Creator
Myouchin Hibashi Wind Chimes | Japanese Swordsmith
Visit Hiroshima!..and Food! Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki with meee
You may think Fukagawa is a quiet neighborhood. Yes, it is not as popular for tourists like Asakusa but old Tokyo Shitamachi is alive there.
Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri, known as Mizukake Matsuri (water splashing Festival) every August is one of three major festivals of Edo tradition.
with Tom Tanaka, Seattle Representative
NHK Japanese Cultural Videos
After watching our videos, be sure to fill out our survey to download free wallpaper images from NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s Maiko-san Chi no Makanai-san!
We’d love to hear from you!
10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
Since 2007, NHK has been granted exclusive access to the studio of legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, documenting his creative process for 10 years. While his films have won international acclaim for their stunning visuals, this four-part documentary series explores the gritty reality behind the scenes. Miyazaki is shown as a passionate artisan, a father going head to head with his son, and a steadfast trailblazer. (49 min.×4 episodes)
Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4消えた祖父の謎を追う～戦後も隔離された日本人～A Vanished Dream: Wartime Story of my Japanese Grandfather
To American photojournalist Regina Boone, her paternal grandfather Tsuruju Miyazaki was a mystery. He was a hardworking Japanese immigrant and built a family with an African-American woman. But he was arrested on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack never to return home. Regina’s father, a prominent journalist and founder of a prestigious Virginia newspaper, hardly ever spoke about Miyazaki throughout his life. It was only 5 years ago on his death bed, that he asked Regina to find out why her grandfather vanished and to search for their family’s roots in Japan. Our camera follows her quest to uncover the untold story of Japanese immigrants who became lost after detention in wartime America. (49 min.)
This video will be available on this site until August 8, 2021.Trails to Oishii Kyoto「京都・食の四季
Once, the true taste of sake could only be experienced in Japan, due to its complicated brewing method and conditions unique to Japan. But that‘s not true anymore. Through Japanese retailers’ efforts to apply new technologies and the passion of the foreign sake-lovers, sake is now becoming a global beverage. In the first of 2 episodes, we visit Africa, Europe and America to witness sake‘s skyrocketing popularity and the devotion behind the opening of genuine sake breweries outside Japan. (44min.)
This video will be available on this site until July 4, 2021.東京ミラクル 第1集「美食の街 受け継がれる“築地の魂” Tokyo Miracle City: Gourmet Capital – Keeping Alive the Spirit of Tsukiji
In the series Tokyo Miracle City, we unravel the secrets behind some of the capital’s most intriguing wonders. In part one, we delve into Tokyo’s famed and tantalizing food culture, exploring the role the iconic Tsukiji fish market played in Japan’s culinary history. Actor Sato Takeru takes us on a journey back in time as we learn about the lives of the skilled specialists at the heart of the market and discover their unique contribution in the journey of seafood from ocean to table. (49min)
This video will be available on this site until August 30, 2021.菓子職人 桑田ミサオ | 餅ばあちゃんの物語 The Tale of Granny Mochi: Kuwata Misao
The Tsugaru peninsula lies on the northernmost edge of Japan’s main island, and is home to some of the country’s most untamed landscapes. For more than 30 years, 93-year-old Kuwata Misao has made over 50,000 Sasa-mochi rice cakes every year here, all on her own. She goes into the wilderness to find bamboo leaves, and grows her own azuki beans to ensure the perfect ingredients for her delicious mochi. What is the meaning of work? Of life? Of happiness? Granny Mochi’s quiet, delightful tale warms the heart. (45min)
This video will be available on this site until September 6, 2021.
Tell us what you think!
We’d love to hear from you, so after watching the films, please fill out our quick online survey below.
take the survey here!
(These videos are co-sponsored by NHK WORLD-JAPAN in cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan)
Acknowledgments
- City of Seattle, Office of the Mayor
- Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
- Hyogo Business and Cultural Center
- Japan Business Association of Seattle
- Japan-America Society of State of Washington
- Japanese American Citizens League, Seattle Chapter
- Seattle Center
- Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association
- Office of Arts and Culture, City of Seattle
- 4Culture, King County
- Dragonfly Journey Committee
- NHK World Japan
- Tamiko Thiel, Visual Artist
- Kobo at Higo
- Maneki Restaurant
- Tokara Confectionery
- Friends of Seward Park
- Wing Luke Museum
- Yamnuska Hiking Tours greathikesjapan.com
- Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai, Seattle Chapter
- Chanoyu Seattle Omotesenke-ryu
- Chiyogami Ningyo by Kuniko Mancini
- Fujima Dance/Music Ensemble
- George Satake
- Ikebana International, Chapter 19
- Japan in the Schools by JASSW
- Kamishibai by Dillon Brown
- Ki Aikido USA
- Meditating Bunny Studio
- Miyagi Kai
- Northwest Taiko
- RJE2021 Committee
- Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
- JETRO
- JBAS
- JCCCW
- Hyogo Business & Cultural Center
- Okinawa Kenjin Club of Washington State
- Seattle Fukushima Club
- Seattle Hiroshima Club
- Seattle Kishu Club (Wakayama)
- Seattle Kumamoto Kenjin Kai
- Seattle-Tacoma Fukuoka Kenjinkai
- Ochiba Art by Muneo Yoshikawa
- Okinawa Kenjinkai Chijinshu
- Seattle Go Center
- Seattle Kokon Taiko
- Seattle Seido Karate
- Shintokan Dojo
- Tankokai Seattle Association
- The School of Taiko
- UV Dance Squad
