The cherry blossoms were in full bloom at the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University for the annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival on April 27.
An annual Stony Brook tradition, the event was co-produced by the Japan Center at Stony Brook University and the Ryu Shu Kan Japanese Arts Center, and supported by AARP Long Island.
The festival was open to the public and welcomed spring to Long Island with the blooming of sakura (cherry blossoms), the sounds of taiko drums, and a wondrous array of Japanese cultural exhibits.
The Wang Center provide attendees with a variety of exciting activities, including koto performances, Japanese traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, bonsai workshops, calligraphy workshops, ikebana flower arrangement, tea workshops, manga drawing, origami paper folding, and cosplay (costumed role-play of a Japanese manga character) for all ages.
Performers included Taiko Drums by SBU Taiko Tides, traditional Japanese dance by Ichifuji-Kai Dance Association, Okinawan Dance by Junko Fisher, Yosakoi Dance by 10tecomai, Ryu Shu Kan Karate/Kobudo with Junko Fisher and Okinawan Sanshin instrumental accompaniment, AEUSKF Kendo and Kogaku Ryu Iaido with Shakuhachi accompaniment by Grand-Master Daniel Nyohaku Soergel, the Ken Zen Greater NY Naginata Club, and Ryu Shu Kan Taiko.
