Most of the Japan Fans’ events are in the centre of Utrecht, but last Friday, we had a “mini matsuri” (in Dutch, we call that a “matsurietje”) in Culemborg.
It was a beautiful sunny day and we enjoyed being in the large garden, eating all sorts of home made delicacies and of course practicing our Japanese together!
We also celebrated that we are now an official foundation – de Stichting Japan Fans aka Japan Fans Foundation.
What is a Mini Matsuri?
To answer that question, let’s start by explaining a traditional Japanese matsuri. A Matsuri 祭 is a traditional Japanese festival, often held at a shrine or temple. Matsuri are typically held to celebrate the deities of the shrine or temple, and they often involve parades, food stalls, and various other activities. Many Matsuri also feature traditional Japanese music and dance performances, and some may include carnival games or other types of entertainment. Some of the more famous Matsuri in Japan include the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo. These festivals are an important part of Japanese culture and are enjoyed by people of all ages.
The Japan Fans love to organise their own “mini matsuri” – in Dutch, they call them “matsurietjes” – where they come together to enjoy Japanese food and games.