Bunka no Hi – Japan Culture Day – is coming to The Buffalo History Museum. The annual event, dedicated to all things Japanese, as they relate to Buffalo, draws performers and admirers together to rejoice in the beauty the simplicity and the history of Japanese culture.
The principles behind the annual Bunka no Hi celebration are ones that are derived from Japan’s yearnings for peace and freedom. The day is set aside to recognize people in the community who are making positive change. It’s also a time to pay tribute to the country’s cultural traditions, such as origami making and calligraphy drawing. Don’t be surprised to find traditionally dressed Japanese characters partaking in ancient traditions at the Bunka no Hi festival.
Schedule for Bunka no Hi at the Buffalo History Museum:
- Auditorium Presentations 12:30-1:30pm
- 12:35pm Architecture Presentation; I Spy Frank Lloyd Wright in Japan
- 1:00pm Japanese Singing Group
- 1:10pm Japanese Folk Dance; Odori no Kai
- Great Hall- Variety of ongoing activities 1:30-2:45 – Bonsai, Bento, Tea, Language Learning, Origami, Calligraphy, Cosplay
- Rededication of the Japanese Stone Lantern 3:00pm – In the Japanese Garden of Buffalo (Outside)
Bunka no Hi and the annual Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival are two of the ways that this city is able to recognize its Sister City – Kanazawa, Japan. One of this city’s greatest cultural treasures – the Japanese Garden – was a gift from Kanazawa that was bestowed upon Buffalo back in 1974. Since that time, herculean efforts have been made to tend and safeguard the gardens. Last year, one of the iconic Japanese lanterns was vandalized, which was a very unfortunate circumstance. The lantern has since been restored, thankfully. There will be a rededication of the lantern at this year’s Bunka no Hi. The restoration was made possible thanks to funds raised at the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Japan Culture Day, Bunka no Hi, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 15th at The Buffalo History Museum from 12:30 – 3:00pm. Admission to The History Museum is Free for Bunka no Hi guests. The event is brought to you by Friends of the Japanese Garden and Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.