crafts - FIRST & CENTRAL: The JANM Blog

Ring in the New Year with Us at Oshogatsu!

December 26, 2023December 20, 2023 Helen Yoshida Leave a comment

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at JANM’s Oshogatsu Family Festival on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission to the festival and Museum is free all day.

Families and kids of all ages can enjoy cultural performances, crafts, and activities. You’ll get to watch candy sculpture demonstrations, take souvenir photos, make dragon puppets and daruma dolls, shop for some fukubukuro (lucky grab bags), watch Kodama Taiko’s mochitsuki (rice pounding) demonstration, relax with the Los Angeles Public Library’s storytime session, and more!

You can also see all of our exhibitions for free. Don’t miss your chance to see The Bias Inside Us and Glenn Kaino: Aki’s Market (before they close on January 28, 2024) as well as The Interactive StoryFile of Lawson Iichiro Sakai, and Common Ground: The Heart of Community.

To ensure swift entry to the festival, we encourage everyone to register for their free tickets at janm.org/oshogatsufest2024. After you register, you will receive a barcode (to print or display on your smartphone or other mobile device) that confirms your spot and provides quick access at the door.

JANM Members will have access to a Members-only entrance for expedited entry and can take advantage of the special perks throughout the festival including priority seating and Members-only giveaways.

You can view the full festival schedule online or on our free digital guide on Bloomberg Connects. Printed schedules will also be available at JANM.

Photos by Daryl Kobayashi, Tracy Kumono, and Doug Mukai.

Hopping into the Year of the Rabbit at JANM’s 2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival

February 7, 2023February 7, 2023 Kazz Morohashi Leave a comment

We greeted over 6,000 visitors to JANM on January 8, 2023 as we welcomed in the Year of the Rabbit with oodles of family-friendly activities. Families of all ages enjoyed the New Year festivities including hand-sculpted candy-making demonstrations to craft activities and mochi (rice cake) pounding performances.

The occasion brought together those with Japanese ancestry keen to pass on cultural traditions to their young ones and others who came to share a memorable experience.

This is the first hybrid JANM Oshogatsu Family Festival since the pandemic. The all-day festival featured a range of events such as the improv comedy performance by Cold Tofu, the nation’s longest running AsianAmerican improv group, and the dynamic, large-scale calligraphy performance by Kunihara Yoshida.

Enjoy some highlights from the 2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival!

Photos (from top row, left to right): Mochitsuki demonstration by Kodama Taiko, Shan Ichiyanagi creating candy sculptures, koto performance by Yuki Yasuda, photo booth with Cre8tive Outlets, Cold Tofu improv performance, learning to play taiko with Hal Keimi, family craft activities, scavenger hunt and raffle, *mochitsuki* experience with Kodama Taiko. Photos by Daryl Kobayashi, Doug Mukai, Richard Watanabe, Tracy Kumono, and Tsuneo Takasugi.

Watch the highlights from the 2023 Oshogatsu Family Festival! (available for a limited time only)

Kokoro2021: Just a Few Days Left to Shop!

November 10, 2021November 10, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

Shop Now – during the last few days of Virtual Kokoro2021! Your purchases help JANM create current programming such as the inspiring stories of Stanley Hayami, A Life in Pieces, and Mine Okubo, Masterpiece. Remember to indicate “Kokoro2021” on your orders!

We volunteers are motivated by the museum’s mission “to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Japanese American experience.” You can find us volunteering as tour facilitators, librarians, store clerks, envelope stuffers and serving on the Kokoro2021 Committee!

Thanks to Kokoro Shoppers for their feedback!

“It’s a great way to shop from out of state.” -G. Dobie

“I’m not an online shopper, but Virtual Kokoro is a pleasure.” -K. Lee

“I’ve ordered a few items from the craft show. Really beautiful fabrics!” – A. Perkins

Photos courtesy of Color Conscious and JANM.

Kokoro2021: Get a Jump on your Holiday Shopping this Weekend!

November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

Delight your friends and family with all of the gifts you’ll find at Kokoro2021. Fill your shopping cart and come back again! Show your support for this volunteer-led Craft Show! Consider becoming a Sponsor at the Supporter, Friend, Patron or Premier levels.

Photos courtesy of Emi Ink, Kirei Cositas, Sixtyeightcolors, Flying Plumtree Studio, Simmisu Paper Co, Wong Creations and Color Conscious.

Shoppers – Welcome to Kokoro2021!

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

We are open! Have fun shopping at www.kokorocraftshow.com. We are excited to showcase over 60 talented crafters and artisans, most of whom are new vendors for Kokoro and come many states. If you like what you see, get it now! Don’t wait! Remember to indicate “Kokoro2021” on your order. The Show runs from Nov 1 to Nov 15.

Be sure to check out the short videos from many of our vendors on the Home Page.

Consider becoming a Sponsor at the Supporter, Friend, Patron or Premier levels. Come here to complete the online form and donate. You may contribute anonymously.

Your purchases and donations support JANM’s educational and cultural programs.

Kokoro2021: Unique Jewelry for You (or Someone Special!)

October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

We love jewelry! And we know you do, too! Virtual Kokoro2021 has assembled even more jewelry vendors than before! In just a few days, check out www.kokorocraftshow.com from Nov 1 to 15 to shop and support the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Indicate “Kokoro2021” on your order and a percent of the sale will benefit JANM’s educational and cultural programs.

Kokoro2021: In Style for the Holidays!

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

Just a week away from the opening of the Show on Nov 1st! Grab your bag and your hat (or buy new ones) at Virtual Kokoro2021! Check out new fashion accessories—and so much more–at www.kokorocraftshow.com from Nov 1 to 15 to shop and support the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Indicate “Kokoro2021” on your order and a percent of the sale will benefit JANM’s educational and cultural programs.

Kokoro2021: One-of-a-Kind Stationery and Other Fun Stuff!

October 18, 2021October 18, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

Check out Virtual Kokoro2021! Specialty stationery and “other fun stuff” will satisfy any gift-giving dilemma! Make sure to visit www.kokorocraftshow.com from Nov 1 to 15 to shop and support the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Indicate “Kokoro2021” on your order and a percent of the sale will benefit JANM’s educational and cultural programs

Kokoro2021: Beautiful Gifts of Clay, Wood, Fiber and Bronze!

October 15, 2021October 20, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

Give a gift made from earth and fire! Find these hand-crafted gifts – and so much more – at Virtual Kokoro2021! Go to www.kokorocraftshow.com from Nov 1 to 15 to shop and support the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Indicate “Kokoro2021” on your order and a percent of the sale will benefit JANM’s educational and cultural programs.

Kokoro2021: Shop Apparel for Adults and Kids Starting Nov 1st!

October 11, 2021October 16, 2021 JANM Volunteers Leave a comment

If you have a weakness for clothing, this year’s Kokoro2021 will feature T-shirts, jackets, clothing for kids—and so much more! Come back in a few days for another featured category!

Run (don’t walk) to www.kokorocraftshow.com from November 1 to 15 to shop and support the Japanese American National Museum (JANM). Indicate “Kokoro2021” on your order and a percent of the sale will benefit JANM’s educational and cultural programs.