Consul-General Ito Attends the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre’s Oshogatsu Kai New Year’s Celebration

On Jan. 28, Consul-General of Japan ITO Takako attended the Oshogatsu Kai New Year’s celebration held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. In addition to giving greetings for the New Year, she participated in the making of mochi rice cakes and also gave a musical performance on the koto (Japanese harp).  The celebration also featured a shishi lion dance and other traditional dance performances, and the children enjoyed such traditional games as hanetsuki (Japanese badminton), karuta (a card game), fukuwarai (arranging a face while blindfolded) and spinning tops. Japanese sake was also served as traditional New Year’s otoso.  In addition, many people joined in dancing the Tokyo Gorin 2020 Ondo celebrating the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.