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Japanese culture celebrated at Arlington Park

Arlington International Racecourse lived up to the "international" part of its name Sunday when it hosted the 33rd annual Japan Day festival, the Midwest's showcase of Japanese culture.

The fest moved this year from its former home at the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights to the racetrack, where it coincided with the 63rd running of the Hanshin Cup, a stakes race named in recognition of Arlington's ties to the Japan Racing Association.

Japan Fest featured Japanese food, art, music and dance, including performances of taiko (Japanese drums) and minyo (Japanese folk dance).

there also were historical displays, activities for children, marital arts exhibitions and musical performances.

The festival was sponsored by the Chicago Japanese Club, Chicago Sister Cities International-Osaka Committee, the Japan America Society of Chicago, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago and the US-Japan Council, and was advised by the Consulate-General of Japan and JETRO Chicago.

  Professional violinist Emi Tanabe of Arlington Heights performs during the Japan Day festival Sunday at at Arlington International Racecourse. The 33rd annual festival, held at the racetrack for the first time this year, featured Japanese musicians, dancers, martial arts demonstrations, anime movies, origami, and traditional foods. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Classical Japanese dancer Kazume Mizuki, also known as Sally Suzuki, greets visitors Sunday at the 33rd annual Japan Day festival, held this year at Arlington International Racecourse. The festival featured Japanese musicians, dancers, martial arts demonstrations, anime movies, origami, and traditional foods. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
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