Oshogatsu: New Year’s Celebration

Sunday, January 28, 2024
12:30-3:30 pm (Taiko Performance at 1 pm)

Celebrate the New Year Japanese-style at our Oshogatsu event that’s filled with fun for the whole family! After watching a riveting Japanese taiko drum performance, kids are invited on stage for a hands-on drum mini-workshop. Families can then welcome the New Year with exciting and traditional activities like New Year’s calligraphy, lion dancing and other New Year’s-themed crafts. With such wonderful activities for the whole family, you are sure to ring in the New Year with great joy!

Japanese boxed lunches and snacks will be available for purchase on-site from BentOn. An inside picnic area is provided for eating.

Tickets: $18/$12 Japan Society members; children ages 2 and under free. Free for Cool Culture members. Advance ticket purchase required. This event will be photographed. Recommended for children ages 3-10 and accompanying adults. 

Activities Include:

Taiko Drumming & Shishimai Lion Dancing (1 pm)

Enjoy a dynamic taiko drumming performance by Taiko Masala. Following the show, children are invited to practice and perform on stage with the troupe of drummers. Before the performance, there will be a shishimai lion dance procession. A lucky bite from this lion will give you luck throughout the whole year!

New Year’s Calligraphy (Kakizome)

Begin the New Year with kakizome– calligraphy written at the beginning of a new year. Children and parents of all ages can experience the time-honored classics of brush and sumi ink calligraphy art.

Rice Pounding (Mochitsuki)

Families take turns pounding rice dough (mochi) in a large mortar (usu) with a wooden mallet (kine) and enjoy this traditional cultural experience first hand!

Kamishibai Storytelling

Enjoy this traditional form of Japanese storytelling as you listen to popular New Year’s folktales such as “Hats for the Jizos” and “How the Years Were Named.”

Kite (tako) Making

Design your own traditional Japanese kite! Assemble the frame from bamboo and decorate it with any number of festive designs to add your personal touch.

New Year’s Postcards (Nengajo)

The practice of sending and receiving New Year’s postcards is a popular tradition in Japan. Children can create their own New Year’s-themed postcards to send to friends and family this New Year!

Paper Dragon Puppet Making

Celebrate this year’s zodiac animal with fun and adorable crafts! Create your own paper dragon puppet to take home and keep you company all year long.

Image © George Hirose; Nengajo © Ayumi Sakamoto.

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Family Programs are generously supported by ORIX Corporation USA; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas); public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; The Masako Mera and Koichi Mera, PhD Fund for Education and the Arts; The Norinchukin Foundation; and Friends of Education and Family Programs