Festival showcases tranquility and cultural understanding

A rare public demonstration of the usually private Japanese tea ceremony drew a crowd Saturday in Arlington Heights.

The demonstration of the ceremony, which is aimed at finding peace and tranquility, was among the many events designed to share Japanese culture during the Japan Festival, which continues today.

"Usually you don't get to see this," said Chieko Kimura, of Glenview, taking in the festival with extended family members.

The authentic display opened one of two entertainment stages at the festival, held at the Forest View Educational Center. It returns from 11-11:30 a.m. today on the field house stage.

As a whole, Japan Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. It includes two stages of entertainment, including Japanese music, drums, folk dances and martial arts displays, while the traditional art of Japanese flower arranging and Japanese swords will be demonstrated in the festival's exhibition hall. Admission is free.

Benihana's restaurant returns this year to cater the fest. The authentic menu choices include teriyaki chicken, garlic fried rice, seafood yakisoba noodles, and sushi Osaka style.

"This is my first time at this fest, but I feel very much at home," said Yoshiharu Kato, who is the deputy consul general of Japan, during the opening ceremony. "In order to understand each other, we have to know more about one another's cultures."

Showcasing such revered traditions as the tea ceremony helped advance that goal. Nearly 100 spectators watched quietly as women wearing kimonos performed the traditional ritual that dates back centuries in Japan.

Dean Raffaelli, a member of the Urasenke Chicago Chapter, described the table-style ceremony, which was adapted from the original kneeling position by the Japanese back in the 19th century once more Westerners began coming into the country.

While the server purified the tea bowl and whisked the green tea powder into water, her guest sat quietly eating her sweet confections, before delicately sipping the bitter tea.

"The idea of the ceremony is to move toward a tranquil and peaceful state," Raffaelli explained, before pointing out its four main elements of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.

Meanwhile, demonstrations and displays filled the field house, including taking origami lessons, write Japanese figures, and even hearing some of the country's historic musical instruments.

Members of the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai club described the ancient shamisen to people at the festival, before playing the instruments during a mid-afternoon concert. The instrument itself is an art form, with its body covered in snakeskin and neck made of lacquered ebony, and played with a pick carved out of water buffalo horns.

"This folk instrument is becoming an icon of Okinawa," said Tom Pressley of Wheeling, "and it symbolizes the explosion of interest in Okinawan music across Japan."

The wide-ranging festival drew Jean Heinrich of Chicago to make a day of it with her granddaughters, Hannah and Claudia Spalding of Prospect Heights.

"We love all the flowers, kimonos, fans -- and the food," Heinrich said. "We just love the culture."