2025 Celebrate the New Year at Japanese Heritage Shōya House: Traditional 'Shōgatsu' (Taiko, Crafts, Mochi-Pounding, Ikebana..) NEW

Celebrate the new year at the Japanese Heritage Shōya House with traditional "Shōgatsu" (New Year’s) activities: including taiko drumming, botanical craft-making, ikebana floral displays, and a mochi-pounding demonstration-at this all-ages event.

Date
Jan 12, 2025

Time
12pm - 3pm

Taiko Drumming: Experience the powerful and rhythmic sounds of the centuries-old tradition of Kumi-Daiko drumming, performed by Kodama Taiko.

Mochi Pounding: Take part in a traditional Mochitsuki (Mochi Pounding) and learn how this tasty treat has developed through the centuries.

Botanical Craft: Create your own Shimekazari wreath and welcome good fortune in the new year, using rice from our first harvest at the Shōya house.

About the Performers
Kodama Taiko is a group of percussionists from the greater Los Angeles area who are dedicated to performing both traditional and contemporary pieces through the sounds of taiko. The group is primarily composed of working professionals who enjoy spending their free time learning and creating entertaining performance pieces.

About the Ikebana Display
San Marino League in California is a nonprofit organization of women committed to philanthropic work in the community as well as furthering their own knowledge of fine arts. In the Spring of 1958, the founding president Mary B. Hunt was qualified to teach the Ikenobo School of Ikebana and began teaching classes to League members. These classes continue today. Dedicated League ikebana enthusiasts continue to provide fresh flower arrangements in the original Japanese house every week, year-round.