Japan Week Events

Following are selected Japan Week events held throughout the Spokane area. Japan Week runs from Saturday through April 25.

Saturday

Japan Week Kickoff, featuring a bonodori dance, Seattle’s Northwest Taiko Drums and cultural demonstrations, 12:30 p.m., Spokane Transit Plaza, 701 W. Riverside, free. (777-4350)

Karate Training and Demonstration, featuring Master Robert Fusaro, seventhdegree black belt, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Whitworth College Fieldhouse, free. (468-6988)

Spokane Buddhist Temple Japanese Noodle Dinner and Book Sale, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry, $6 (534-7954)

World Party, a multicultural extravaganza of food, displays and entertainment, 5-10 p.m., Eastern Washington University Reese Court, Cheney, free. (359-6008)

Spokane Buddhist Temple lecture, “The Influence of India on Japanese Buddhism,” featuring Bhante Seelawimala, an ordained monk and member of the teaching staff at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkeley, Calif., 7-8:30 p.m. Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry, free (donations will be accepted). (534-7954)

Sunday

Karate training and demonstration continues at the Whitworth College Fieldhouse, 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m., free. (468-6988)

Hanamatsuri Service (the birthday observance of the Buddha Shakyamuni), with Bhante Seelawimala officiating, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry, free. (534-7954)

Japan Day at the Spokane Valley Mall, featuring Northwest Taiko Drums and cultural activities, noon-3 p.m., free. (359-6008)

Japan Day at NorthTown Mall, featuring karate and kendo demonstrations, 1-3 p.m. NorthTown Mall, free. (777-4571)

Monday

Lecture, “Connecting with Dr. Martin Luther King,” featuring Rob Fukai, vice president for external relations, Washington Water Power Co., 11:15 a.m.-noon, Whitworth College Cowles Auditorium, free. (777-4350)

A Taste of Japan, a Japanese dinner celebration hosted by Whitworth College students, 5-6 p.m., Leavitt Dining Hall, Whitworth College, $5/$3 for students. Limited seating available. (777-4571 for reservations)

“Traditional Culture and Contemporary Daily Life in Japan,” a video presentation, 7-8 p.m., Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute Library, free. (328-2971)

Tuesday

Consul General Banquet, featuring dinner and discussion with Japan’s Consul General for the Pacific Northwest, General Yoshio Nomoto, 6-8 p.m., Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church Quall Hall, 312 W. Hawthorne Rd., $18. (777-4350)

Wednesday

Japanese and American Youth Leadership Conference, featuring workshops and discussions among area high school students and Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute students, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., The Commons, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, registration fee. (328-2971)

Spokane Falls Community College International Student Program Japanese Dinner, 4:30-6:30 p.m., SFCC Student Union Building, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr., $7/$3 for community college students. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling 533-3581.

Thursday

Japanese Ningyo (Doll) Workshop, Display and Sale, featuring artist Kazuko Tamaoki, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The Commons, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, free. (328-2971)

“Telecommunications: Changing the Lives of Everyone,” a business luncheon and presentation, featuring former CEO of U.S. West Dennis Okamoto, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Commons, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, $12/$7 for students (777-3242 for reservations)

Japanese-American Legacy Dinner, featuring Steve Kumagai, senior vice president, and David Hayashi, senior business analyst, American Express Financial Advisors, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., The Commons, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, $14. (324-4266, ext. 211, for reservation information)

April 24

Karate demonstration, presented by the Whitworth College Karate Club, 11:15 a.m.-noon, Whitworth College Cowles Auditorium, free. (777-4350)

April 24

Family Festival with Ningyo (Doll) artist Kazuko Tamaoki, in a hands-on celebration of Japanese culture (kimono-wearing, doll-making, toy-making, origami, brush-writing, tea ceremony), 1-5 p.m., Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute Commons, free. (328-2971)

Shiatsu Seminar with John Lien, effective massage technique and alternative medicine therapy, 6:30-8:30 p.m., The Commons, Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, $5. (328-2971 for reservations)

April 25

Kamishibai, a traditional Japanese story-telling method will be for children of all ages, plus songs and origami, 11 a.m.-noon, Auntie’s Bookstore, W. 402 Main, free. (838-0206)

49th Annual Sukiyaki Dinner, includes exhibits, crafts and a sushi bar, noon-7 p.m, Highland Park Methodist Church, 611 S. Garfield, $8. (535-2687 for reservations)

Other events

Jazz performances and workshops, featuring Deems Tsutakawa, April 23-25, Hobart’s Jazz Lounge, Cavanaugh’s Fourth Avenue Hotel. (For times call 777-4350)

Japan Week Display, put on by the Spokane Nishinomiya Sister City Society, Crescent Court, throughout the week. Occasional entertainment.

Speech Challenge, May 1, at Mt. Spokane-Mead High School, 6015 E. Mt. Spokane Park Dr. (465-7200).