By Rachel on August 31, 2006
The Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Gardens is this weekend, September 2-4. The procession that kicks off the festival starts at 10:30 in front of the Climatron. We’ll be dancing in the parade and also in front of the Yagura Stage at 5:30-6:30 on Saturday and at 5:30-6:30 on Sunday. Here’s the schedule of events (PDF download) for the festival.
I recommend comfy shoes, a water bottle, and sunscreen if you’re going to the festival for the entire day. If it’s not too much of a bother, I would also recommend bringing something to sit on since most of the demonstrations do not have seating. I would also advise you to get there early so you don’t have to wait in the gi-normous line that always forms for admission. Oh, and bring cash. They have a lotta nifty vendors and more and more come every year.
See ya there!
Posted in Japanese Culture
I was exposed to anime as a child while living in Germany after watching the Japanese version of Hans Christian Anderson’s the Little Mermaid. In high school, a classmate in art brought in Akira as an example of Japanese art. I wasn’t very impressed with anime at the time, but my re-exposure to it in 2000 thanks to Escaflowne had me hooked for life.After sorting out what I liked about anime (great stories, beautiful animation and epic battles) and disliked about anime (big boobs, angst-y 15 year-old kids, most mecha, sports stories and style-over-substance), I got into it with a vengeance.I do love almost all aspects of Japanese culture and try to be involved with it as much as possible. I have no problem admitting that I incorporate a lot of Japanese trends and traditions into my life as I modify them and make them my own. Anime is a big part of that, along with all the sub-cultures, past and present.
And everyone should try to make it – Rachel and I have been practicing like crazy to get the dances right!
I’m trying to make it I swear!!!!
Whew, we made it out in one piece! This past weekend was a blur, but I do remember dancing three times so I think I did what I needed to do…I have a bunch of pics I’m going to put up in a gallery when I get the time. Speaking of which, I saw a lotta anime fans at the festival; I suppose this was a sort of Mecca for some fans
You guys and gals did a great job at the festival this year! Looked like a really good turnout too!