Little Tokyo Hosts Activities for New Year

Little Tokyo businesses and cultural organizations will host a series of free cultural displays and demonstrations this weekend in celebration of the New Year.

On Saturday, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (244 S. San Pedro St.) will host a gathering of wearers of traditional Japanese kimonos at 1 p.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. demonstration of Hatsu Ya (First Arrow of the Year), a traditional firing of an arrow into a target that releases feathers and colored paper, by performance artist and Buddhist priest Hirokazu Kosaka. The first dance of the year will then be performed at 2:30 p.m. by Wakayagi Kai.

Also on Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be several activities at Weller Court (corner of 2nd and San Pedro streets), beginning with a taiko Japanese drums performance, followed by a Japanese music performance, a karate demonstration and a traditional New Year’s game.

And at the New Otani Hotel (120 S. Los Angeles St.) on Saturday, events take place from noon to 3 p.m., including a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and exhibitions of origami (paper folding), Japanese pottery, sumi-e (calligraphy) and Japanese fabric.

On Sunday, the Japanese American National Museum (369 E. 1st St.) hosts a repeat performance of the Rev. Kosaka’s Hatsu Ya archery ceremony at 1:30 p.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. performance by the Kodama Taiko group.

And along Onizuka Street on Sunday, a mochitsuki ceremony (rice pounding) and a taiko performance are scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Information: (213) 625-0414.