On the 20th of September, members of the Japan Society committee took a trip to Palmerston North, for the annual Spring Blossom festival, hosted by IPU (International Pacific University) students and facilitators.
The event ran from 11:30am to 2:30pm, where members of the public were greeted by the person organising the event, and thanked the Palmy council and members of the public in attendance. The event then kicked off with the Kodama Taiko drum performers, who demonstrated to onlookers the enthusiasm of Japanese drum culture.
After that, the public were invited to meander at the various stalls. Origami, Shodo, a chance the take a photo in front of a screen of the famous temple, Sensoji, in Asakusa (Tokyo), tea tasting, kimono dress-up, wata-ame (cotton candy), and recruitment information on enrolling into IPU.
The event was simple, and gave inspiration of activities the Japan Society of Hawkes Bay could get involved with and introduce Japanese culture to Napierite’s, with Napier City Council involvement.