The 35th annual Bainbridge Island Mochi Tsuki Festival attracted thousands of people Jan. 11, bringing out the confectioner, dancer, musician and historian in all who attended.
Prepared mochi is taken to the mochi shaping station, where it is rolled into balls with sugar and shoyu, or soy sauce.
Taiko performers used more than just drums. Instruments like these shekere, or beaded gourds, added a unique tambourine-like sound.
Seattle Kobon Taiko got serious when the drums came out.
Seattle Kobon Taiko’s lion dancer visits with children after the show.
Visitors learned Bon Odori at the Woodward pavilion outside, a type of traditional Japanese dance performed during Obon, a time to honor deceased relatives and ancestors.
A flute player introduces a song that tells the story of an exiled samurai who practiced his swordsmanship every day on the beach.
Enormous taiko drums made of cowhide and hardwood are played with special drumsticks called bachi.
Taiko is an energetic form of percussion that draws heavily on the movements of samurai swordsmen.
Musicians from Seattle Kobon Taiko rotated through different instruments, including drums, flutes, shekere and their voices.
Seattle Kobon Taiko introduces their lion dancer, a mischievous and agile fellow.
Bainbridge Island’s Family Martial Arts academy demonstrates their moves.
Visitors also performed modern dance forms, including those from Japanese pop culture.
