By Khalida Sarwari
More than 2,000 people attended the 14th annual Japan Matsuri held recently at Hakone Estate and Gardens where the highlights included a sake barrel-breaking ceremony and the presentation of special commendation to Paul Sakamoto, a former educator and the longtime owner of Sakamoto Nursery in Los Gatos.
Attendees watched as Mayor Jill Hunter, Deputy Consul General Nobuhiro Watanabe of Japan and members of Satsuki-kai, a women’s chorus, took part in the sake barrel-breaking ceremony that officially opened the Japan Matsuri, or festival.
Sakamoto received a commendation of honor and historic achievement plaque from the Hakone Foundation for his contributions of plantings, historic lanterns and other valuable garden objects to Hakone over the decades.
There were a number of old and new features at this year’s event, held May 19, said Hakone Foundation CEO Lon Saavedra. The activities included a Taiko drum performance; a mochi pounding ceremony, where rice is pounded into a paste and made into a snack for the Japanese New Year; a Kendo martial arts demonstration; a sword exhibition; and a traditional Japanese theater performance called Kyogen, performed by Theatre of Yugen.
There was plenty to keep children active and busy, from an art contest to various games, and attendees had a chance to see and hear Baisho Matsumoto perform on the shamisen, a three-stringed Japanese instrument.
According to Saavedra, the event served to promote friendship and understanding between the Japanese people and California residents and also raise money for the preservation, restoration and enhancement of Hakone Gardens.
“Hakone’s 2013 Matsuri was a spectacular success, with the added focus on children’s programs,” Saavedra said. “The turnout of over 2,000 guests was far beyond the number we anticipated.”
He said there are plans to offer additional shuttles from West Valley College next year to accommodate festivalgoers.
Rolling out the barrel (of sake) at Hakone’s annual Japan Matsuri
