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Where EAST meets the Northwest

MONTHLONG CELEBRATION. Mochitsuki, the annual Japanese-American New Year celebration, is being celebrated virtually throughout the month of January this year. The 25th edition of the event features yearly favorites, including Takohachi (pictured), Oregon Koto-Kai, Portland Taiko, and others. (AR Photo/Jan Landis, File)

From The Asian Reporter, V31, #1 (January 4, 2021), page 13.

Virtual Mochitsuki is ringing in 2021 throughout the month of January

Mochitsuki, the annual Japanese-American New Year celebration, is being celebrated throughout the month of January this year. The event, which each year highlights Japanese culture through performances, traditional food, and arts for the whole family, is also a virtual experience. Participants may view the 25th-anniversary festivities daily for free online at <https://2021.mochipdx.org>.

Yearly favorites returning to the celebration include Oregon Koto-Kai, Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, Portland Taiko, Takohachi, and others. Activities feature videos, photos, cultural performances, demonstrations, New Year trivia segments (with prizes), and more.

Mochitsuki’s month of virtual events began on Friday, January 1, and festivities conclude on Sunday, January 31, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. The closing livestream provides a historical recap of Mochitsuki’s 25-year history and includes a tribute to Valeri Otani, a question-and-answer session with Asian-American artists, and a special New Year performance by Elena Moon Park, a musician, educator, and producer who specializes in contemporary classical and family music.

Fresh mochi is available for purchase at the Beaverton Uwajimaya store every Saturday in January and participants may also order crafts from vendors and food from participating Japanese restaurants using links on the Mochitsuki website.

To view the 2021 Mochitsuki Portland Virtual Festival, visit <https://2021.mochipdx.org>. To make a donation, go to <www.donorbox.org/portland-mochitsuki-2021>.

* * *

Mochitsuki 2021 Schedule:

Programs are available online at <https://2021.mochipdx.org>.

Videos are usually posted at 8:00am or noon.

Please visit the website for details.

January 1

Hatsumode Prayers (Henjyoji Temple), New Year’s Prayer (Nichiren Buddhist Temple),
and "How to Hatsumode at Mochitsuki" (Konko Church)

January 2

Koto performance (Oregon Koto-Kai)

January 3

New Year’s Card Making (Japanese Women Portland)

January 4
"Ozoni for the New Year from Scratch" (Chef Naoko)

January 5
Go: An International Game (Portland Go Club)

January 6
Trivia Game: "Oshogatsu — Japanese New Year"
(Portland State University – PSU, Institute for Asian Studies and the Japanese Program)

January 7
Ikebana Flower Arrangement (Ikebana International Portland Chapter)

January 8
"How to Celebrate New Year in Japan" (Portland Kimono Club)

January 9
Storytelling (Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo)

January 10
"Why MOCHI in New Year?" (Takohachi)

January 11
"How to Make 5-Minute Microwave Mochi (Cooking with Mazzy)

January 12
Hariko: Japanese Head-Bobber Toys (Lynn Geis)

January 13
Trivia Game: "Osechi — Japanese New Year’s Food"
(Portland State University – PSU, Institute for Asian Studies and the Japanese Program)

January 14
"Modern Mochi Making" (Japanese American Museum of Oregon)

January 15
Tea Ceremony (Nikkei Fujinkai)

January 16
Thank You Very Mochi (Reading by author Paul Matsushima)

January 17
Kids’ Practice Calligraphy (SORA)

January 18
"Ways to Eat Mochi" (Konko Church)

January 19
Origami: "How to Fold a Kagami Mochi" (Lunarcat Studios)

January 20
Trivia Game: "Mochi"
(Portland State University – PSU, Institute for Asian Studies and the Japanese Program)

January 21
Osushi Dance & Okinawa Eisa Folk Dance (The International School)

January 22
"How to Choose and Cook Tasty Rice"
(Consular Office of Japan in Portland)

January 23
Cultural Performance (Portland Taiko)

January 24
Children’s Flower Arranging (Chiharu’s Wild Flowers)

January 25
Gyoza / dumplings (Cooking with Mazzy)

January 26
Sapporo Snow Festival (Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association)

January 27
Trivia Game: "Mochitsuki"
(Portland State University – PSU, Institute for Asian Studies and the Japanese Program)

January 28
"Way of the Staff" (Rose City Shindokai)

January 29
Shodo Japanese Calligraphy (SORA)

January 30
Utsukikai Mochi Pounding (Utsukikai)
 

January 31, 1:00pm to 2:30pm
Closing Livestream: Mochitsuki 25th-Anniversary Program
(Elena Moon Park, Sachi Kaneko, Joe Kye, Ameya Okamot

* * *

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