Japan Festival this weekend at Elk Grove High School

Posted May 31, 2013 2:34 pm

Daily Herald staff report

Konishiki Yasokichi, a Hawaiian-born Japanese-Samoan former sumo wrestler, was the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach Ozeki, the second highest rank in the sport. He also sings, raps and plays the ukulele. He started the Konishiki Kids Foundation and has been a high profile fundraiser for earthquake disaster relief. Courtesy Mid America Japanese Club

Meet a star sumo wrestler. Observe Japanese music, dance, drumming and martial arts exhibitions. Eat Japanese food and visit the market displaying and selling artistic and craft items.

These are among the many activities that are part of Japan Festival 2013 Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove Village.

This year’s festival highlights sumo wrestling, the Japanese national sport. Konishiki Yasokichi, a Hawaiian-born Japanese-Samoan former sumo wrestler who achieved the second highest rank of the Professional Japanese Sumo League, will appear.

Konishiki will hold a luncheon serving the typical sumo wrestler’s main meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday to raise money for his charity helping Japanese earthquake victims. And the JCCC Foundation is holding a Konishiki Charity Hawaiian Show at 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20. Contact the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago at (312) 245-8344 or jccc-chi.org.

The festival will include two entertainment stages; culture exhibition halls demonstrating ikebana (Japanese flower arrangements), katana (Japanese swords) and chano-yu (tea ceremony); the marketplace featuring Japanese crafts, cards, books and fabrics; and a photo exhibition commemorating the second anniversary of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Japan Festival 2013 is presented by the Mid America Japanese Club and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago in partnership the with Consulate General of Japan at Chicago and District 214 Community Education.

Detailed information on the festival is at japanfest-chicago.org.

Here’s a schedule for some of the activities:

Gym Stage: Saturday

11 a.m. Soran Taiko: Japanese Drum

11:15 a.m. Opening Ceremony

12:30 p.m. Kyudo: Contemplative Japanese Archery

1:30 p.m. Okinawa Taiko & Dance

2 p.m. Kendo Demonstration

2:30 p.m. Aikido Demonstration

3 p.m. Kid’s Omikoshi Parade

Theater Stage: Saturday

1 p.m. Koto & Shakuhachi Music

1:30 p.m. Japanese Music

2 p.m. Minyo: Japanese Music, Dance

2:30 p.m. Judo Demonstration

3 p.m. Cosplay Fashion Show — Arthur Garcia

3:30 p.m. Taiko: Japanese Drum

Gym Stage: Sunday

2 p.m. Iaido Demonstration

2:30 p.m. Kid’s Omikoshi Parade

3 p.m. Taiko: Japanese Drum

3:30 p.m. Karate Demonstration

4 p.m. Japanese Swordsmanship Demonstration

Theater Stage: Sunday

11 a.m. Conservatory of Music

11:30 a.m. Flamenco

1 p.m. Japanese Classical Dance

1:30 p.m. Taiko: Japanese Drum

2 p.m. Hawaiian & Japanese Music

2:30 p.m. Three-Stringed Japanese Guitar

Paro is an advanced interactive robot developed by Dr. Takanori Shibata, Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST), Japan. It allows the documented benefits of animal therapy to be administered to patients in environments such as hospitals and extended care facilities where live animals present treatment or logistical difficulties. Courtesy Mid America Japanese Club

Akinori Ogata, who is based in North Carolina, is currently the only Japanese driver in the NASCAR racing series. He began his racing career at age 14 in motocross racing and started his NASCAR career in 2003. Courtesy Mid America Japanese Club

Akinori Ogata is bringing his race car to the Japan Festival 2013 this weekend at Elk Grove High School. Courtesy Mid America Japanese Club