Japanese culture celebrated at festival in Arlington Heights
On the gym floor of the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights, a quartet of drummers from the Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko Group created an impressive range of sounds and rhythmic patterns Sunday.
You won't find this subtlety and artistry from the Bucket Boys.
The group was among the performers at the weekend's Japan Festival Chicago, billed as the largest Japan showcase in the Midwest.
Gurnee resident Doug Shimizu, one of the drummers, said the drumming is part of the taiko tradition, which is passed on orally. The repertoire included the deep sound of the don, obtained by striking the drum (taiko) in the center, to the high-pitched effect of the ka by hitting the rim.
The festival provided the opportunity for visitors to get a taste of Japanese culture.
"I think it's to spread Japanese culture and awareness, so people know more about our culture, that it's not just sushi," Shimizu said. "I have friends that go, 'I like Japanese food. I like sushi.' I'm like, 'OK, but there is more food than just sushi and ramen.'"
Visitors had the chance to dress up in armor and write their names in Japanese calligraphy. They also learned about origami and bonsai.
Michael Takada, the CEO of the Japanese American Service Committee and chairman of the festival, said the event is put together by the Chicago Japanese American Council, a coalition of 11 organizations.
"It's really important from the standpoint of sharing it with as many people as possible, while also making it accessible to the Japanese community that lives in this area," he said. "This whole area has a significant Japanese population."
The event drew thousands of visitors to Arlington Heights over the weekend. This year's festival celebrated the culture of Okinawa.
Takada said the coalition has decided to feature the cultures of the different prefectures in Japan. Okinawa, he said, has the largest prefectural organization in Chicago outside of Okinawa itself.
One example of that culture is the instrument known as the Sanshin (literally a three-stringed instrument). Island Lake resident Yoneko Cabel, who came to the United States from Okinawa in 1964, plucked the sanshin for visitors.
Cabel, who is retired, said she began playing the instrument more than 20 years ago. If she has any questions about it, she calls family back in Okinawa.
The event also featured an appearance by Hyakkimaru, the master of an art form known as kiri-e, which is artwork created from paper cutouts. His artwork has been featured on more than 800 novel covers in Japan.