Japan Day 2017

MAY 14TH, 2017 (SUN)

JAPAN DAY FESTIVAL

9:30AM – 4:00PM
Central Park’s Bandshell Area

RUN

4-mile Run 8:00AM,
Kids Race 9:30AM
Starting Point: Central Park East Drive 68th Street

PRESIDENT

Kurao Onouchi
President & CEO, Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A.), Inc.

HONORARY CHAIRMAN

Reiichiro Takahashi
Ambassador and Consul General, Consulate-General of Japan in New York

Art contest

Grand Prize Winner
MARCELO MAZIERO

Special Juror Prize Winner
TOMA VAGNER

GUEST JUROR: SEBASTIAN MASUDA

This year, we are honored to welcome artist/art director, Sebastian Masuda, as our special juror. Known as the poster child of Harajuku and “kawaii” culture, Sebastian Masuda has spread his unique fashion style and Japanese “kawaii” culture on a global scale. Out of many submissions for the Japan Day Art Contest, the work of Toma Vagner was selected as the winner of the Sebastian Masuda Award for its outstanding quality.

“Toma Vagner’s piece collages three thematic motifs in a unique and unrestrained manner, and this produces a near-futuristic feel that I’ve never seen before. I was captivated by her marvelous worldview.”

STAGE PROGRAM

HOST: SANDRA ENDO

ACT 1

  • Japanese Taiko Drumming by Soh Daiko

  • Clarinet Ensemble by NY Licorice Ensemble

  • Greetings

  • Japan Day Art Contest Awards Ceremony

  • Karate Demonstration by International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan

  • Japanese Taiko Drumming & Dance by COBU

ACT 2

  • J-pop/Jazz Fusion by J-Music Ensemble

  • Gospel Choir by Harlem Japanese Gospel Choir

  • Bon Odori “NY Ondo”/ “Tanko Bushi” with The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York

  • Rock Music by Alan Merrill

ACT 3

  • Rock Music by Shinji Harada

  • Vocal Performance by Che’Nelle

  • Tap Dance by Kazunori Kumagai

  • Vocal Performance by Kaori Kishitani

  • Finale

ACTIVITY TENTS

  • Art Project – Time After Time Capsule

  • Bullet Train Ride (East Japan Railway Company)

  • Calligraphy (Japanese American Association Of New York, Inc.)

  • Hello Kitty Photo Booth (Sanrio Co., Ltd.)

  • instax Photo Booth (Fujifilm North America Corporation)

  • Kabuki Face Painting (Northeast Council Of Teachers Of Japanese)

  • Kendama (KENYC)

  • Origami (Origami Therapy Association (OTA))

  • Shogi and Igo (New York Shogi Club & Brooklyn Go Club)

  • Super Conducting Maglev (Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central))

  • Try-on Yukata (Ny de Volunteer)

  • Yo-Yo-Fishing (JETAA NY &  Japan Society)

FOOD TENTS

  • Gyoza (Ajinomoto North America,Inc.)

  • Okonomiyaki (Otafuku Foods, Inc.)

  • Onigiri (ITOCHU International Inc.)

  • Snacks 1 (Meiji America Inc.)

  • Snacks 2 (Table For Two USA)

  • Tea (ITO EN (North America) Inc.)