New Year celebration Kotohajime with arrow shooting and the opening of the 10th annual Shikishi exhibition, Jan. 6, 2008

Cultural News, December 2007

    The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in Los Angeles presents annual New Year celebration Kotohajime at the JACCC/ Noguchi Plaza on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m.

    For welcoming the 2008, the Year of the Rat, JACCC’s art director Hirokazu Kosaka will direct the mesmerizing and visually stunning performance Hatsu-mukashi (First-long ago) by featuring Tokyo-based dancer Kocho, and 1,000-year old rite of purification conducted by Japanese archery group Ikkyu.

    The 2008 Kotohajime also celebrates the exciting new partnership between the JACCC and The Colburn School of Music.  The traditional breaking of the Sake Barrel will follow the Hatsu-mukashi performance.

    Attendees of the Kotohajime event are also invited to view the 10th Annual Shikishi Exhibition at the Doizaki Gallery/North Gallery inside the JACCC building.  With an open call sent out to anyone with a creative spark, this exhibit features the original work of dignitaries, artists, athletes, children, seniors and members of the community.

     The Shikishi (Japanese Greeting Card) on display interpret the year of 2008’s Kotohajime theme, Hatsu-mukashi as well as references to the Year of the Rat, the animal sign that sits atop twelve years cycle of Chinese Zodiac.

    Shikishi submissions is accepted by Friday, Dec. 21.

    Admission is free to both the Kotohajime event and the Shikishi Exhibition. For more information, contact Gavin Kelley at (213) 628-2725 ext. 133 or email kelley@jaccc.org.

    The JACCC is located at 244 S. San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles. Convenient parking lots are located on San Pedro, Second and Third Streets.