Celebrate the beauty and culture of Japan at the Japanese Cultural Day & Exhibit on Saturday with live music and food.
The Kauai Museum is showcasing the islands of Japan by inviting guests to attend festivities that will include traditional Japanese foods and special performances from local artists. Doors open at 10 a.m. and festivities are set to run through 5 p.m.
A special Reiki Healing starts at 9 a.m., said Lyah Kama-Drake of Kauai Museum. She said there will also be arts, crafts and games. Entry fee is $15.
The celebration of the Japanese culture features Joyful Noise Taiko Drummers at 10, and a Shakuhachi performance, or traditional Japanese bamboo flute, by Kyle Chew at 10:30.
Aki Conquest, who has been traveling all week, said she is excited to be back on stage playing with Joyful Noise this Saturday.
Kauai’s own Chef Steven Nakata from Kauai Community College will present his culinary delights in front of an audience and will serve a tasty traditional familiar recipe at 10:45.
“I’m going to focus on just a basic traditional Japanese broth and it’s many, many uses,” Nakata said. “I’m making a basic stock or what they call dashi and from that dashi the many traditional dishes that is used from that stock. And the ingredients are very simple: dried bonito flakes and kelp.”
Nakata said dashi is recognized all over the world, but most people have never made it from scratch.
“You can probably compare it to something that you have already tried,” Nakata said. “Most people have already tried ramen or cup of noodles. It starts off with this flavor. So a lot of noodles start off that way. Most people have already tried miso soup. It’s just many people don’t realize how that flavor is started. And it’s started with that simple stock of Dashi.”
Tastings will be available, he said.
Dances include San Shin performances at 11:30 a.m. to noon and a mini Bon Dance from noon to 1 p.m.
An exhibit of art and historical artifacts will be on display.
Parking is available behind and on the sides of the museum, Kama-Drake said.
