“There was a good turnout of people despite the rain and a lot of them enjoyed participating in the ceremony,” Sonia Siwa of Paseo de Marianas Promoters said.
Siwa said the booths of participating restaurants offered Japanese favorites and delicacies.
In addition to the Mochisuki, or rice pounding, community members also got a chance to try the Oshuji, an introduction to the Japanese style of writing; the Takeuma, or Japanese stilts, which means “bamboo horse”; the Koma, or spinning tops; the Kendama, a traditional toy consisting of a wooden, hammer-like object with a ball connected to it by a string; Origami, the art of paper folding; Hanetsuki which is similar to badminton but without a net; and Takentonbo, the hand-made toy helicopters designed to spin in the air with the flick of your hands.
“It is always great to see the people join in cultural exchanges and participate in traditional festivals each year,” Siwa said.
The Saipan Awaodori Dance team also entertained the crowd with their festive performance.
Participating food booths this year were from Kinpachi Restaurant, Cappriciosa, Furusato Restaurant, Ezy Kitchen and Country House Restaurant. The Japanese Society of the Northern Mariana Islands also had a booth.
The Mochisuki & Culture Festival is celebrated by the Japanese to wish for good health and prosperity in the coming New Year.
