View the Event Join us for the final day of Mochitsuki 2021. This live event will be the culmination of our month-long virtual New Year’s festival. Celebrate 25 years of...
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Cultural Demonstration, Traditional Demonstrations
Jan-1st | How to Hatsumode at Mochitsuki (Konko Church)
Sapphira (5) and Alexia (2) dress up to show you how to “visit a shrine” for New Year prayers for Mochitsuki PDX. After watching the video, go to to try our...
The Henjyoji Shingon Buddhist Temple invites you to practice gratitude for 2020 and pray for wishes to come in 2021, virtually. After you send your wishes to the temple...
Cultural Demonstration, Traditional Demonstrations
Jan-1st | New Year’s Prayer – Nichiren Buddhist Temple
This is an abridged version of our New Year’s prayer for 2021, asking the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and all the gods to bless everyone with a safe, prosperous, and...
For this year’s virtual Mochitsuki, the Oregon Koto-Kai will perform “Kyo-Ningyo no Yume” (Kyoto Doll’s Dream) by Masaaki Kikushiro, “Sakura Bukyoku” (Cherry Blossom...
Crafts & Games, Cultural Demonstration, Family Activities, Learn, Traditional Demonstrations
Jan-3rd | New Year’s Card Making
This video presents a brief explanation of the community group Japanese Women Portland, followed by a demonstration of two different designs for making Japanese New...
Join Chef Naoko to learn how to prepare Ozoni, an auspicious dish associated with the Japanese New Year consisting of mochi and local natural ingredients in a rich soup...
This video by the Portland Go Club talks about the basics of the game of Go, a game created in China but which developed most rapidly in Japan. We tell the story of one...
This fun and educational video introduce many of the things associated with the New Year in Japan. The viewer is asked to try and guess the answers to trivia questions...
Cultural Demonstration, Education, Learn, Traditional Demonstrations
Jan-7th | Ikebana Flower Arrangement
Nana Goto Bellerud presents Ikebana, a Japanese traditional art form that uses natural materials to express yourself. She demonstrates a simple ikebana that you can make...
Cultural Demonstration, Education, Learn, Traditional Demonstrations
Jan-8th | How to Celebrate New Year in Japan
The members of the Portland Kimono Club show examples of how New Years is celebrated in Japan with song, decorations, cleaning, cuisine, drink, shrine visit, greeting...
For this year’s virtual Mochitsuki, storyteller Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo will share stories about meals and a leader hungry for power. About Robert Kikuchi-YngojoNaoko...
The members of Takohachi explain why mochi pounding is done for the New Year and present Tawarazumi Uta, a musical story of stocking up on rice. About Takohachi...
Family Activities, Food & Fun, Learn
Jan-11th | Cooking with Mazzy: How to Make 5-Minute Microwave Mochi
In this charming video Mazzy and her grandparents show how to make mochi filled with red bean paste in just a few minutes using a microwave and a few simple ingredients...
As explained by Lynn Geis, to ensure good luck, Japanese traditionally purchase a small figure that represents the zodiac animal of the current year. Handmade of hariko...
This fun and educational video introduces Osechi, the traditional Japanese New Year’s food. The viewer is asked to try and guess the answers to trivia questions...
Connie Masuoka from the Japanese American Museum of Oregon provides an overview of how mochi making has changed from ancient times to the present day. Get ready to start...
Cultural Demonstration, Food & Drinks, Learn, Traditional Demonstrations
Jan-15th | Tea Ceremony by Nikkei Fujinkai
Nikkei Fujinkai (Japanese Ladies Group) and Urasenke Portland Association share Sado – The Way of Tea and present a brief history and philosophy of the Tea Ceremony...
Paul Matsushima will be reading his book “Thank You Very Mochi” for this year’s virtual Mochitsuki. A Story of Culture, Tradition, and Family. When Kimi and her family...
Join SORA and youths Liam and Marin to learn about the Japanese art of Shodo in a fun and engaging way. Your family will learn to use the natural materials found around...
