Welcome!
Welcome to the 48th annual Cherry Blossom Festival! To view the full schedule of in-person events at the Seattle Center, please click here.
For those who prefer to stay in this year, NHK WORLD-JAPAN has generously released a series of free documentary videos. Topics covered this year are broad, and range from music and fashion, to history and drama. Please browse the full selection below, and happy watching!
(These videos are co-sponsored by NHK WORLD-JAPAN in cooperation with the Consulate-General of Japan)
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TEEN REGIME
A dictator or a savior? The 17-year-old prime minister designated by an AI. In the future year 202X, with Japan's economy in stagnation, experimental municipality Utopi-AI is inaugurated by Taira Kiyoshi by direction of Prime Minister Washida Tsuguaki. The city's "cabinet members" chosen by artificial intelligence (AI) unit Solon are all young enthusiasts, including "prime minister" Maki Aran, a 17-year-old high school student. Three months later, Sagawa Sachi, an admirer of Aran, relocates to Utopi-AI along with her family, and the experimental administration takes off. Aran immediately proposes to abolish the city council, and further vows to resign if and when his popular approval rate falls below 30%. The "teen regime" thus begins. -
A Four Movement Sonata: Tsugaru Shamisen
The Tsugaru Shamisen is a stringed instrument named after the region where it was developed in Aomori Prefecture. As one of the snowiest places in the world, harsh Tsugaru winters are said to have given rise to a unique sound that is both energetic and sorrowful. Through 2 leading young performers of its repertoire today, explore the history of the region against the delicate and dynamic scenery of Tsugaru, and a captivating soundtrack. An invitation to the fascinating world of Tsugaru Shamisen. Illuminating the Future: Fashion Designer Nakazato Yuima's Latest Couture Journey
The Paris Haute Couture Collection is considered to be the pinnacle of the mode fashion world. One young designer named Nakazato Yuima has been turning heads as a guest designer at the collection since 2016. With a watchful eye on the future of fashion, his designs examine both sustainability and innovation at length. Tune in as we follow him for 6 hectic months, from the conception of his new collection to the final unveiling. What is the future of fashion according to this global-minded designer? Watch and see.Barakan Discovers Ainu: A New Generation
The Ainu are the indigenous people of northern Japan. They were once subjected to cultural assimilation policies, and many of their traditions were lost. But now, young Ainu are spearheading a movement to restore their heritage. Peter Barakan meets an artisan who recreates old craft items; performers with a new take on traditional singing and dancing; and a YouTuber who presents language lessons. Barakan looks at the oppression of the past, and the possibilities that exist in the future.Zero Waste Life: Discarded Umbrellas Reborn
Cheap plastic umbrellas are all too easily used and thrown away in Japan. And since they're difficult to break down, recycling efforts have stalled. But young creator Saito Aki has an original idea that may be the solution. By compressing layers of plastic from old umbrellas she's created a beautiful new fabric and turned it into a hit line of fashionable handbags. Just to look, you'd never guess where it came from. The perfect blend of style and environmental-awareness-raising substance.Train Cruise: Legends along the Kyoto Tango Railway
We start our journey at Fukuchiyama, a transport hub in central Kyoto Prefecture, and head north through valleys to the Sea of Japan and Toyooka, across the border in Hyogo Prefecture. The Kyoto Tango Railway boasts various carriages, with attractive interiors, operating on its three lines. We stop to admire the spectacular view of the sea, learn about the culture and history from local residents, and visit places that appear in legends.3/11 - The Tsunami: The First Year
After the mega-tsunami hit Japan in 2011, survivors who'd lost everything struggled to recover. Many people lost not only their homes, but loved ones and livelihoods as well. Beloved traditions were in danger of disappearing. Rumors of radioactive crops devastated farms and fisheries. And many residents feared that those who'd been forced to evacuate would never return. Follow their year-long effort to rebuild their communities with exclusive footage filmed at the center of the disaster.Train Cruise: Lake Biwa and Beyond
We travel from Kyoto Prefecture along the western coast of Lake Biwa and beyond to Tsuruga on the Sea of Japan. Admire the late fall scenery on the cable car and rope way to the peak of Mt. Hiei, where we catch a glimpse of Japan's largest lake. We visit vestiges of the locally funded, now-defunct Kojaku Railway, and we meet a blacksmith, an antique shop owner and a cooper who all relocated to the area. We arrive at Tsuruga, once the international train's boat connection to the Trans-Siberian Railway.JAPAN FROM ABOVE: Gifts from the Mountains
In this episode, we begin our journey in Aomori Prefecture in the northeastern part of Honshu, Japan's largest main island. From there, we fly over the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture and visit the east coast of Tohoku, an area still battling to recover following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. We meet people who harness the power of nature to grow crops, breed fish and make unique cuisine, and then finally go behind the scenes at a fish market and a public bath in Tokyo.Zero Waste Life: Asakusa Washi - Omikuji Recycling
Asakusa, Tokyo, is home to many shrines and temples. Visitors often buy "omikuji," which are small pieces of paper with fortunes written on them. Normally burned for disposal, washi paper artisan Shinoda Kaho came up with the idea of recycling them as a new style of washi, which is not only beautiful but durable as well. Her washi handbags are gaining popularity in and out of Japan. This may well be the birth of a new local specialty in an area long known for papermaking and paper recycling.
Want to Watch More?
NHK World is available on television, for free via over-the-air-antenna on channel 28.2 (most of the Puget Sound region) 15.2 (Centralia) and on cable: XFinity channel 115. Programs range from documentaries, international news, business, technology, and science information, as well as lifestyle, culture and travel programs produced and presented from Japanese and Asian perspectives.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
48th Annual Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, April 14-16, 2023
- 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
- Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington
- Seattle Center
- Seattle-Kobe Sister City Association
- Seattle's Centering Art & Racial Equity (C.A.R.E.)
- 4Culture, King County
- ArtsFund Community Accelerator Fund
- Grant for International Exchange Project, Wakayama Prefectural Government
- The Japan Foundation Travelling Exhibition
- Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
- Seattle Opera
- Seattle Center
- NHK World Japan
- Tamiko Thiel, Visual Artist
- Kobo at Higo
- Maneki Restaurant
- Wing Luke Museum
- Jungle City
- North American Post Publishing
- Ramen-Ya, Teinei
- Setsuko’s Pastry
- Tokara Confectionery
- Chado Urasenke Tankokai Seattle Association
- Chanoyu Seattle Omotesenke-ryu
- Chinagu Eisa Hawaii
- Chiyogami Ningyo by Kuniko Mancini
- Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
- Enka by Alana Baxter
- Film and Lecture
- Food Court
- Friends of Seward Park
- Fujima Dance/Music Ensemble
- Fukushima, virtual visit by Panos; talk by Justin
- Gift Shop
- Hashigakkai Association, represented by Minako Arakawa
- Hasu-Seizo
- HBCC
- Ikebana International, Chapter 19
- Ichi Bichi
- Inochi Taiko
- Japan in the Schools by JASSW celebrating 100 years
- JACL, Seattle Chapter 100th Exhibit
- JCCCW
- Kamishibai by JCCCW
- Ki Aikido USA
- Kids Korner
- Komy Co., Ltd, represented by Minoru Gosei, Saitama
- Lynn Miyauchi, Furoshiki video, courtesy CGJ
- Meditating Bunny Studio
- Meito Shodo Kai
- Miyagi Kai
- Monica Podcast
- Moopsie
- Musokai Iaido Club
- Northwest Taiko
- Okinawa Kenjin Club of Washington State
- Okinawa Kenjinkai Chijinshu
- Okinawa Traditional Dance Master, Utako Ishikawa
- Okinawa Traditional Sanshin Master, Minori Sensei
- PNW JET Alumni Association
- PN Kendo Federation
- P.A.P.E.R.
- Rain City Sumo
- RJE Legends, represented by JBAS
- Sake Tasting
- Seattle Dojo Judo
- Seattle Fukushima Club
- Seattle Go Center
- Seattle Hiroshima Club
- Seattle Japanese Garden
- Seattle Kishu Club (Wakayama)
- Seattle Kokon Taiko
- Seattle Kumamoto Kenjin Kai
- Seattle Mariners
- Seattle Seido Karate
- Seattle-Tacoma Fukuoka Kenjinkai
- Shinji Maeda, Motivational Speaker
- Shintokan Dojo
- Tanimoto Karakuri Ningyo, Wakayama
- The School of Taiko
- Tsukamaki by Gunnar Goerlitz
- UV Dance Squad
- Zoke Bonsai by Setsuko Evans
