The audience watches intently as New York Taiko Aiko Kai drumming shows their skills in this Japanese traditional art form which dates back thousands of years.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Each year for the last 18 years, with a one year exception for COVID, the Japan Society of Fairfield County, a non-profit membership organization comprised of people who are interested in Japan and Japanese culture has held a Fall Festival on Jesup Green in Westport. Last Sunday the sights and sounds of Japan were on full display to hundreds of visitors who who treated to a variety of Japanese traditions going back in some cases, hundreds of years and beyond.

The first presentation was the spectacular Taiko drumming by New York Taiko Aiko Kai, who’s pounding rhythms and dramatic showmanship captivated the audience. The function of Taiko has varied throughout history, ranging from communication, military action, theatrical accompaniment, religious ceremony and concert performances.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Mr. Tomoe Sato of the Consulate General of Japan's New York office speaks to the audience at the start of the event.

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker (left) speaks to the crowd about Westport’s involvement with this event through the years. JSFC President Jackie Alexander (center) describes the activities of the day and both join Mr. Tomoe Sato for a quick photo.

A traditional Bon Odori Festival is usually held in July or August, however the event was moved to September a few years ago, technically this is too late to hold a traditional Japanese Bon Odori Festival so the event was renamed a Japanese Fall Festival but we still included Bon Odori activities.

Attendees are invited to don the summer yukata kimono and join the Bon odori dances. The women leading the instruction of the dances are from the BondanNYC group.

Five Bon Odori dances were performed, led by BondanNYC. They included Tanko Bushi, coal miner’s song from the Kyushu area. The Hanagasa Ondo, or “hat dance” from Yamagata, Awa Odori, from Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku, A-I-U-E-Ondo and Tokyo Ondo, from Tokyo.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Sensei Robert Brody owner and chief instructor of Aikido Of Norwalk readies his students to begin a demonstration of the traditional Japanese martial art of Aikido.

The crowd enthusiastically enjoyed the students as they demonstrated Aikido, a unique martial art that emphasizes peaceful conflict resolution by harmonizing with an opponent’s energy and redirecting their attack. Unlike Karate, which focuses on strikes, Aikido shares more similarities with Judo, as it involves joint locks and throws to neutralize an attack.

This portion of the event featured several dedicated students, including Brian Lasher, who helped Brody showcase a dynamic bokken (wooden sword) demonstration called Kumitachi. Other students included Dylan Saurawal, who skillfully performed ukemi (falling techniques), Jeff Tang and who practiced in preparation for his Shodan (black belt). Elizabeth Shields and Katherine Gunya also participated, demonstrating techniques as blue and yellow belt students, respectively. Additionally, Kia Starn led a seated meditation, or seiza, a regular practice at the dojo to cultivate focus and inner peace.

The large crowd was kept busy with several performances to enjoy and several vendors to visit.

Dancers formed a circle to join instructors in performing several of the Bon Odori dances. They also enjoyed the opportunity for selfies with famous Japanese cultural icons like Hello Kitty and Pikachu, the electric-type mouse and the mascot of the Pokémon franchise.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The audience was treated to “Balloon Plays” by Noriko “Emma” Oshiro. Ms. Oshiro translated a Japanese folktale into English to create her balloon play. She narrates the story and creates the costuming/balloon characters. Her “actors” move about or use the balloon characters according to the narrator’s story. This year there were two plays; The Story of Obon and the Water Lanterns, and The Story of the Signs of the Zodiac.

There was a Japanese Marketplace with several booths and tables where vendors offered a variety of Japanese products, art and crafts including handmade hats, pottery, Tengui Art, Origami and crystal and stone Jewelry and so much more.