Oshogatsu New Year's Celebration at Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
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One of the Morikami's visitors at the Consulate General of Japan's table. He is learning how to use a kendama, a traditional Japanese toy. |
Japan traditionally used a lunar calendar that connects certain years to animal signs. For 2011, it is the year of the rabbit. |
A mochi-zukuri station (preparation stand for the mochi pounding). Just like Westerners say that there is a man in the moon, many Japanese children grow up hearing about the rabbit in the moon making mochi. | |
It takes a lot of energy and strength to pound mochi into a soft and delicious treat. Here, festival visitors give mochi tsuki a try. |
Mochi is a sweet dessert made from rice powder and water, and sometimes has flavors added or a sweet bean paste in the middle. |
Japanese koto players. The koto is a Japanese stringed instrument played on the floor. It is similar to a zither. |
Three young koto players performing for a packed auditorium. |
A children's craft station. |
Fushu-daiko is one of Florida's premiere taiko performing groups. They are regular performers at Morikami festivals and special events. |