At festival, Greater Kansas City celebrates all things Japanese

Sarah Jane Taggart spent part of her Saturday at the one spot in town where she could wear a kimono and not feel too different or out of place: the Greater Kansas City Japan Festival at Johnson County Community College.

“I have always stood out in the group, and I really don’t care what people thought of me, so I wore what I thought was beautiful, interesting or cool,” said Sarah, a 14-year-old Olathe South High School student. “Kimonos were a part of that list.”

The one-day festival, organized by the Heart of America Japan-America Society, promoted all things Japanese: history, traditional and contemporary culture, music, food and dance. Organizers estimated attendance reached 4,500 people.

Visitors observed and participated in activities that included a tea ceremony demonstration, Japanese food samplings, Samurai sword presentations and performances by musicians, singers and dancers. For the first time, the festival held a haiku competition.

“We continue to add more cultural presentations; we probably have over 30 now, plus musicians from Japan and throughout the United States,” festival executive director Francis Lemery said. “There is a great interest in Japan, and so this provides the local community with the opportunity to experience all parts of Japan.”

Masaharu Yoshida, the consulate general of Japan in Chicago, attended Saturday’s event. He said the festival stood out among others he has attended across the country.

“What impressed me the most is the wide variety of programs from traditional to contemporary,” Yoshida said. “You can enjoy a whole bunch of Japanese culture in one place in one day.”

The third floor of JCCC’s Carlsen Center housed a variety of vendors, exhibitors and pachinko machines. Many attendees dressed up as their favorite anime and manga characters.

“People would say it is a cartoon, but it is so addicting,” said Brice Anderson, 19, of Kansas City, North. “It’s funny, they have fights and superpowers, costumes and different hair colors. I love it.”

Not far away stood Jordan Ewy, 18, of Lenexa, who wore a light blue and pink skirt with bows, squirrels and two petticoats.

Lemery said organizers were pleased the art form encouraged young adults to learn more about Japanese culture.

“It shows the interest in Japanese things and Japanese culture, and it is a beautiful culture,” he said. “What we say is we represent the old and the new Japan.”

This story was originally published October 11, 2014 at 5:57 PM with the headline "At festival, Greater Kansas City celebrates all things Japanese."