UA’s 15th Annual Sakura Festival Puts Focus On Japan

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s 15th annual Sakura (cherry blossom) Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture and friendships, is scheduled for March 1-April 20.

The festival provides an opportunity to experience Japanese culture through lectures, exhibits, demonstrations, a Haiku contest and other activities.

The theme for this year’s festival is “kizuna” or bonds. In Japanese, “kizuna” implies enduring and unbreakable bonds that overcome time and space. The theme represents 15 years of celebrating strong, human relationships between the people of Alabama and Japan.

As in years past, the Sakura Festival is expected to attract people from around the Southeast. Although many events will take place on the UA campus, some activities will be held in the Tuscaloosa community. Most events are free to the public.

In Japan, the Sakura Festival is a celebration of the blossoming of the cherry trees, recognizing spring’s renewal of the spirit of life and celebrating its beauty. UA’s Denny Chimes area boasts a spectacular view of blossoms on cherry trees made possible through a donation from a businessman in Tuscaloosa’s sister city of Narashino, Japan. Cherry blossoms can also be seen at the corner of University Boulevard and Stadium Drive, on trees donated by JVC America, and in the Narashino Grove, located off Lurleen Wallace Boulevard, developed with funds donated by the city of Narashino.

Sponsors of this year’s Sakura events include: Coilplus-Alabama, Inc.; Daikin America, Inc.; JVC America, Inc.; McCord Leakless Sealing Co.; Alabama Gas Corp.; HL-A; Morgan County Economic Development Association; Ogihara America Corporation; Sony Magnetic Products; Continental Airlines; Japan-America Society of Alabama; Tuscaloosa Sisters-Cities Commission; The University of Alabama; and McFarland Mall.

A schedule of festival events includes:

March 1-Third Annual Sakura Art Contest Deadline

The art contest theme is “International Friends,” and it is open to children in grades 1-6. Any medium may be used on poster sized paper. Judging will take place at “Matsuri in the Mall” on March 10. Entries of the art contest will be displayed in the center court of McFarland Mall on March 9-11. All information is available 205/391-9200.

11th Annual Sakura Festival Haiku Contest

The Haiku Contest is open to Alabama residents of all ages and to friends of Alabama living in Japan and all over the world. With its theme of kizuna/bonds, the haiku contest permits writers from Japan and Alabama to bond together with poetic expressions between and among peoples of all ages and origins. Awards will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners in each of the following categories in both English and Japanese: elementary school students-grades 1-3, elementary school students-grades 4-6, junior and senior high school students and adults. The winning entries will be published in the yearly haiku brochure and the winners will receive cash prizes. More information and entry forms are available at 205/348-5312.

Sakura Festival Lecture Series

Begins March 1 with “Aesthetic Bonding through Sumi-e,” a presentation and demonstration by Armor Keller, a nationally recognized Birmingham artist, noon-1 p.m., Ferguson Forum Room. Call 205/348-5311 for more information.

March 1-31-Sakura Festival at the Tuscaloosa Children’s Hands-On Museum

Children are the kizuna of families and communities throughout the world. From the intriguing Japan House exhibit to the kimono doll bookmarks, the museum will offer a colorful celebration of Japanese culture emphasizing our shared intrigue with cultural differences as well as commonalties. Visitors can try on traditional Japanese clothing, get their passports and visit the Japan House, a replica of a modern day Japanese home. Materials will be available to make Kimono doll bookmarks. For more information, call CHOM at 205/349-4235.

March 2-Doll’s Festival Exhibit and Girl’s Day Celebration, Tuscaloosa Japan Culture and Information Center (JCIC)

Children of all ages are invited to celebrate Girl’s Day March 2 at JCIC from

1-4 p.m. Beautiful dolls representing the traditional Japanese royal court will be on display in the “tatami” room. The entertainment will be koto music by Laurie Arizumi. Participants will also be able to enjoy delicious Japanese refreshments. Call the JCIC at 205/348-5311 for details.

March 8-Sakura Festival Lecture Series

“Building Bonds between the U.S. and Japan through Sumo,” a presentation and demonstration by Packy Evans of the Georgia Sumo Association, noon-1 p.m., 207C Student Services Center. Call the JCIC at 205/348-5311 for details.

March 10-Matsuri in the Mall, McFarland Mall Center Court, Tuscaloosa

The matsuri, or festival, in the mall affords the opportunity to experience the true kizuna/bonds of Japanese culture.

11-11:05 a.m.-Opening Ceremony-Kip Tyner, local TV personality

11:10-11:20 a.m.-Daikin Taiko Hime-Daikin America, Inc.

11:25-11:55 a.m.-Japanese Martial Arts-UA Yoseikan Budo Club

Noon-12:20 p.m.-Suzuki Strings-UA Community Music School

12:25-12:55 p.m.-Sumo Demonstration-Georgia Sumo Association

1-1:15 p.m.-Japanese Folk Songs-Tuscaloosa Saturday School

1:20-1:40 p.m.-Sword demonstration-International Shinkendo

1:45-1:55 p.m.-Daikin Taiko Hime-Daikin America, Inc.

2-2:20 p.m.-Japanese dance-Mai no Kai International Society

2:25-2:55 p.m.-Sumo demonstration-Georgia Sumo Association

3-3:10 p.m.-Daikin Taiko Hime-Daikin America, Inc.

3:15-3:35 p.m.-Sword demonstration-International Shinkendo

3:40-4 p.m.-Japanese dance- Mai no Kai International Society

4-4:10 p.m.-Announcement of the winner of a free round trip ticket to Japan-

Mary McDonald, Continental Airlines

4:10-4:15 p.m.-Closing Ceremonies-Kip Tyner

Matsuri in the Mall-Booth Activities

Bonsai Display – Rector’s Bonsai Southeast Inc.

Calligraphy and Origami – UA Japan Club

Continental Airlines

Japanese Flower Arranging Exhibit – Tuscaloosa Chapter Ikebana Study Group

Information Booth – The Japan-America Society of America

JETRO, Montgomery

Japan Information Booth – The Consulate General of Atlanta

Traditional Japanese Embroidery

Japanese Lacquer Ware – Japanese Community in West Alabama

Japanese Martial Arts – UA Yoseikan Budo Club

Japanese Warrior Arts – Bujinkan Martial Arts

Kimono display – Michelle Slagle, kimono consultant

Shinkendo – International Shinkendo

Sister City – Tuscaloosa Sister-Cities Commission

Sumi-e – Armor Keller, nationally recognized Birmingham artist

Sumo booth – Georgia Sumo Association

Yo-Yo Fishing – JVC Yo-Yo Family
March 15-Sakura Festival Lecture Series

“From My Heart to Yours: A Shining Moment,” a haiku presentation by Dr. R. Marie Stutts, noon-1 p.m., Ferguson Forum Room. Call 205/348-5311 for more details.

March 22-Sakura Festival Lecture Series

“To Strengthen Economic and Trade Kizuna between the U.S., the state of Alabama and Japan,” a presentation by Shinkichi Kiuchi, director of JETRO, Atlanta Center, noon-1 p.m., Ferguson Forum Room. Contact the JCIC at 205/348-5311 for more information.
April 6-Sakura Festival Tea Ceremony

Bond cultures with Tuscaloosa’s sister city, Narashino, through the tea ceremony and develop strong commitment and kizuna with them. The tea ceremony will be preformed by Sugako Shin, a master teacher of the tea ceremony from Narashino, 2 p.m., Presidential Pavilion on the UA campus, admission free. For more information, contact the JCIC at 205/348-5311.

April 20-Sakura Festival Recognition Banquet

The banquet will be held at the North River Yacht Club at 6:30 p.m. The evening will conclude the festival’s activities. The Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission will present the Garner International Friendship Award in honor of former UA C&BA Dean Paul Garner. Continental Airlines will also award two round-trip tickets to Japan to UA faculty/staff who applied for them. Sakura Festival Haiku Contest winners will be awarded, and Koto will be played by Laurie Arizumi. More information is available by calling 205/348-5312.