Lack of gasoline in the metro Atlanta area did not keep more than 14,000 visitors from attending JapanFest 2008, held September 27-28 at Gwinnett Center.. 
Headlining this yearfs festival was Sinatra, an up-and-coming rock band that traveled all the way from Tokyo just to perform at JapanFest. They wowed a standing-room-only audience during four energetic performances that combined Japanese rock with taiko drums, conch shells and flutes. Visitors could be heard humming the tune from their hit song Nihonjin nara kawara-yane (Only tiled roofs will do for the Japanese) long after the performance ended. Additionally, Yoko Hiraoka told the story of the Tale of Genji through the biwa, a Japanese-style lute. MADOCA entranced the audience with her jazz, fusion, and funk performance, and Tomi Isobe Blues Band rocked the house with its fusion of rock and blues. Matsuriza and Carolina Forest Elementary Taiko Drum Ensemble performed on the perennially popular taiko drums, and Lisa Furukawa soothed souls with her unique fusion of folk, pop, electronica, and classical music.
JapanFest 2008 explored the fascinating culture and history of the Heian Period (794-1185), with particular attention to The Tale of Genji as we celebrated the millennium anniversary of what is considered to be the worldfs first novel. Written by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century, The Tale of Genji delves into the life and culture of the Japanese imperial court. Professor Junco Pollack of Georgia State University, Professor Yuki Takatori of Georgia State University, Professor Robert Steen of Oglethorpe University and Professor Douglas Reynolds of Georgia State University presented a fascinating and informative lecture on the history, culture, fashion, and language of this period, and the Consulate General of Japan displayed an authentic Heian Period style kimono.
JapanFest 2008 also featured performances by several new participants. A modern kimono fashion show updated the traditional kimono for the 21st century. Young gymnasts from Golden Ribbon Rhythmic Gymnastics showed off their amazing flexibility, and the Nebula Dance Theater performed jazz, modern dance and ballet set to Japanese music.
Of course, JapanFest would not be complete without an array of martial arts. Aikido Center of Atlanta and Aikido School of Athens demonstrated this art of using an attackerfs own strength against him to defend oneself. Atlanta Bujinkan Dojo showcased the art of ninjutsu, the gclandestine way.h Georgia Kyudo Renmei demonstrated the artistry of Japanese archery, and the Georgia Sumo Association hosted the 4th Annual Georgia Sumo Open. Miki Judo Club demonstrated the elements of the gGentle Way,h and several karate schools demonstrated this popular form of martial art.
There was plenty of shopping, and visitors purchased an amazing array of Japanese goods, books, kimono, tea, dolls, rice paper, t-shirts, accessories, masks and toys.The first 2,000 children visiting JapanFest received a free Japanese toy.
Many of the Japanese companies based in Georgia displayed their products in the Made in Georgia exhibition. Participants included Hoshizaki America, Inc., JETRO Atlanta, Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation, Murata Electronics North America, Inc., Seigakuin Atlanta International School, TDK Components USA Inc, TOTO U.S.A. Inc., Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America, and Yanmar America Corporation.
And of course there was food! Haru Ichiban, Nakato Restaurant, Suno Dessert, Sushi Niko Niko, Sushi Yoko, Taka Sushi and Passion, and Tomato Store offered a tantalizing menu of tonkotsu ramen, bento lunch boxes, sushi, kakigori (shaved ice), curry rice, rice bowls, udon noodles, oden, yakisoba noodles, and more!
JapanFest, which just celebrated its 22nd year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,000. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia (JASG), The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia (JCCG), and the Consulate General of Japan (CGJ), JapanFest is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast.
Thank you to our more than one hundred volunteers and our generous sponsors: Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, Banta Immigration Law, Sapporo Beer, Georgia Power, Hoshizaki America, Inc., UPS, Yanmar Agricultural Machinery America Corporation, Alston & Bird LLP, Elesys North America Inc, Honda Precision Parts of Georgia, Inspec Group LLC, Interesse Internatinal, Inc., Immigration Law Offices of James C. Nolan, Shimizu North America LLC, Suzuki Manufacturing of America Corp., Symbiosis International, Inc., Toyo Tire North America, Inc., The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WSB-TV, Georgia Council for the Arts, The Machida Family in Memory of Shigenobu Machida, Southern Arts Federation, and Shimazakura Japanese Summer Kimono Shop.
