Performances

The Seattle Chapter of the Beikoku Shodo Kenkyukai will present a Japanese calligraphy art demonstration.

For more than 60 years, the organization has continued to promote and preserve the highest standard of Japanese Calligraphy otherwise found only in Japan, through local education and cultural exchange.

Founded in 2009, The School of TAIKO and its professional ensemble, CHIKIRI, foster community understanding through the powerful energy of Japanese arts. Led by Ringtaro Tateishi – a former member of the world-renowned group ONDEKOZA with 37 years of professional experience – and Asako Tateishi, both performed at Walt Disney World, our ensemble bridges cultures through original compositions and traditional regional movements. From the Seattle Mariners to the Northwest Folklife Festival, we provide high-impact entertainment, school assemblies, corporate team buildings and more mainly for PNW. Currently about 150 students from 5 years old to 80s enjoy the lessons and performances. For this festival stage, our diverse members unite to create an exhilarating performance, inviting everyone to experience the vibrant, joyful spirit of Japan!

Dekoboko Taiko (凸凹太鼓) is a taiko (Japanese drumming) group based in the Pacific Northwest. Founded by alumni from Taiko Kai at the University of Washington in 2017, the group has grown to include members from a variety of backgrounds. Dekoboko Taiko hopes to create a safe place for creative expression through positive encouragement and joy. During these especially difficult times, at this year’s festival we hope to capture and share these same emotions with our audience.

Shindo Muso Ryu Jojutsu, and its modern offshoot, Jodo, is a 400-year-old art that teaches the use of sword and broader martial and personal development through the use of a simple short staff to overcome a better-armed opponent wielding a sword. Jodo relies on precision and the flexibility of the Jo to overcome the inherent advantages of a blade-wielding opponent. The kata of Shindo Muso Ryu have been refined for centuries and are fascinating studies in the art of war. At Hoshu Dojo, it is our duty to preserve and pass these kata on to future generations.

Inochi Taiko is a Japanese American drumming group that combines traditional and contemporary elements to express passion for the art and celebrate Japanese culture. Inochi was founded in 2003 by Tyrone Nakawatase, Garrett Nakawatase, and Max Honkawa. Now under the leadership of Elias Chanteloup, Inochi strives to push their taiko play to the next level and challenge themselves to be the best taiko players they can be. “Inochi” translates to “Life” which encapsulates the members’ dedication to the group and art form. Their journey represents a commitment to sharing Taiko and showcasing the dynamic essence of Japanese American culture.

Japan In The Schools (JIS) is a signature education program of the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington. JIS provides free 50-minute presentations that introduce Japanese culture and language to K-12th grade students across Washington State.

The Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington promotes Japanese and Japanese American culture and events in the Pacific Northwest. This year, we will present an original kamishibai story based on the history of the Festival and the theme: Sakura Monogatari.

Seattle Samurai: A Journey of Story and Resilience
In this talk, author Kelly Goto shares the journey of Seattle Samurai—from her father Sam Goto’s original cartoons to the book’s recognition today. Rooted in stories passed down through generations, the work reflects the resilience of immigrant families and the blending of cultures that shaped the Japanese American experience in the Pacific Northwest. Kelly also honors her mother, Dee Goto, whose lifelong commitment to preserving these stories helps carry their legacy forward, ensuring they continue to educate and inspire new generations.

Mako Kikuchi is a musician, faculty at South Seattle College, and advisor for the community donated music collections of the Northwest Nikkei Museum at the JCCCW. The project he will share is focused on the preservation and digitization of home recorded acetate discs from the Japanese American community dating from the 1930s – 1950s, some of which were recorded inside Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II.

He will present a talk titled “Listening to Japanese America – Acetate Recordings from the 1930s – 1950s”.

We are an ensemble that plays both traditional Japanese and contemporary songs through the voice of Japanese style drums, embellished with movement, violin and percussion instruments.

One World Taiko is a Japanese drum ensemble that captivates audiences with its spirited drumming that blends traditional, jazz and world music into heart pounding beats. One World Taiko’s music is drawn from Japan’s lively festival drumming and their own creative rhythms, arrangements and choreography. They enjoy teaching their diverse audiences about Japanese culture through the art of taiko. They seek to bring people together in the moment with the sound of their drums.

The Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation represents the traditional Japanese sword arts of Kendo and Iaido. At this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival, we will share demonstrations of Kendo, practiced in armor with bamboo swords, and Iaido, which focuses on the smooth and mindful drawing of the katana. Both arts emphasize respect, discipline, and the unity of spirit, sword, and body. More than technique, our practice is about developing character, self control, and carrying ourselves with calm focus in everyday life.

Seattle Dojo is the oldest judo club in the United States. Recreational and competitive judo lessons located in central Seattle. Students of all ages and skill levels study under several experienced instructors. Classes are held on Monday and Thursday evenings to train a wide variety of judoka, ranging from people interested in staying fit and having fun to serious competitors that actively participate in various levels of competitions.

Students from the Seattle Japanese Language School’s youth program will form a choir and perform two songs in Japanese.

Seattle Kokon Taiko (SKT), Washington’s first performing taiko ensemble, is based in the local Japanese American community and has performed at schools, arts festivals, street fairs, community programs, corporate events and in concerts throughout Washington and Oregon. SKT combines the ancient with the modern; our repertoire is a mix of traditional pieces and contemporary compositions. Through taiko, we hope to contribute the development of a uniquely Japanese American art form –Japanese in origin, American in expression– that weaves threads of continuity between generations and builds bridges of understanding among people of all nationalities and walks of life.

Based at Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Seattle Matsuri Taiko is a Japanese American drumming group that values participation and the discovery of joy. Members enjoy sharing their love of taiko drumming through engaging performances.

After the 2024 New Year’s Eve arson at the Temple that impacted our practice space, Seattle Matsuri Taiko is happy to be back and participate in the Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival this year. We hope you enjoy our performance.

Seattle Seido Karate will present a stage demonstration, highlighting the abilities of children and young adults.

Our school is one of traditional Japanese sword arts, known as Iai-Battojutsu. It is a mix of Iaido and Battojutsu, and was created in the 1800’s to help preserve samurai customs and culture. Our focus is on the art of drawing and sheathing the sword, quick movement from a still point, and tameshigiri (grass mat test cutting).

Koryu Bujutsu are martial arts whose teachings and techniques have been passed down from teacher to student since the feudal period when the bushi, or warrior class, used them for survival in combat. Shintokan Dojo has been teaching some of these classical martial traditions in Woodinville since 1995.

Shinto Muso Ryu is a 400 year old system, originating in Kyushu, in southern Japan, which focuses on the use of the jo (stick) and sword, along with other weapons.

Taiko Kai was founded in 2013 by the Matsudaira sisters, three UW students who wanted to share Japanese culture with UW and the greater Seattle community.

Our club is community-oriented, helping members develop personal and team-based performance skills. Members practice how to effectively move their bodies and perform for an audience while also engaging in a friendly group. We also build connections with the American Japanese community in Seattle and across the US by working with other Taiko groups and taking part in Japanese events.

The mission of Two Cranes Institute is to adapt and make accessible the martial principles and contemplative practices to empower individuals, promote compassion and diffuse conflict in all settings of modern life.

The Washington Association of Teachers of Japanese (WATJ) will host the 43rd Japanese Speech Contest for high school and college students. 7 first-place winners will present their speeches at the Festival on Sunday, April 12.