Arts Culture & Entertainment
August 3, 2015
THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 13
Natsu Matsuri brings food, fun, and
the fashion of Japan to Beaverton
By Maileen Hamto
The Asian Reporter
ounds of taiko drums reverberated
through the festival grounds. Under
a tent, people found refuge from the
95º heat with colorful kakigori, Japanese
shaved ice with syrup. Not far away, a line
formed in front of the health screening van
of the Portland Bentham Lions Club.
These were some of the scenes at the
sixth annual Natsu Matsuri (Japanese
summer festival) held last month in
Beaverton. The event drew many
spectators to Uwajimaya Plaza on one of
the hottest weekends on record this year.
The heat did not keep the crowds away.
Even exhibitors were unfazed by the rising
temperatures. Kazuyo Ito, a resident of
north Portland and a volunteer for en
Taiko for a number of years, helped man
the information booth at the event,
tending to leaflets about recognizing the
signs of heat stroke. Posted signs also
admonished attendees to stay hydrated.
On her second year volunteering at
Natsu Matsuri, Ito was focused on making
sure people were having a great time.
“This is one of the key events in the
Japanese community to share our
culture,” she said. “I am glad to see so
many community organizations and
nonprofits represented here.”
Among the area community groups at
the festival was the Japan International
Baptist Church. Mutsuko Wepsala was
one of about 20 volunteers at the booth,
which sold six pieces of takoyaki for only
$3. Church volunteers labored over the
special pans to create the ball-shaped
snacks with minced octopus and topped
with katsuobushi shavings. A long line
quickly formed as soon as the takoyaki
became ready, and never died down.
Proceeds from takoyaki sales benefit the
church’s work for survivors of the
earthquake in Nepal and Typhoon Haiyan
(also known as Typhoon Yolanda) in the
Philippines, said Wepsala, who staffed the
cash box. A long-time member of the
S
HOT BUT HOPPING. Natsu Matsuri, a free
family-friendly event celebrating Japanese culture,
took place at Uwajimaya Plaza in Beaverton last
month. The festival featured live Japanese music,
martial arts (left photo), nonprofit organizations (right
photo), traditional games, a mobile health-screening
unit, and more. (AR Photos/Maileen Hamto)
church — more than 30 years — Wepsala
was hopeful the takoyaki drew more
people to the cause.
“With the church, I’ve done missions in
Nepal, Japan, Argentina, and across the
United States,” Wepsala said. “There are a
lot of people in need, especially when there
is a natural disaster. This is how we help.”
Food is always a big draw at cultural
festivals, but so is fashion, especially when
it is tied to an opportunity to snap a selfie.
The Portland Kimono Club hosted a photo
booth that gave people an opportunity to
understand the cultural significance of the
kimono and learn the proper way of wear
as well as take a few vanity shots.
Volunteers Misao Sundahl and Kimiko
Kotsugi were more than happy to answer
questions and help people try on the
yukata, a type of kimono typically worn
during the summer months. The Portland
Kimono Club was formed more than three
years ago by a handful of local women. The
group features regular meetups, classes,
and other social events highlighting the
art of kimono. The club has increased its
membership by taking part in large
cultural gatherings, such as the Salem
World Beat Festival and other events.
While many of the exhibitors and ven-
dors hailed from the Portland metropoli-
tan area, others travelled from further
away. The Japanese Cultural Society,
based in Salem, featured a table filled with
a compendium of toys, stickers, stationery,
and other knick-knacks for visitors of all
ages to enjoy.
“We’re here to serve as a connection
between Japanese and non-Japanese
people,” said Kaoru Arai Lewman, one of
the organizers. “We attend events like this
to present the variety of Japanese cultural
experiences. We have a good group of
volunteers who perform Japanese drums
and dance, and present food culture,
calligraphy, and art to the community.”
The annual Natsu Matsuri at Uwaji-
maya is supported by a number of local
Japanese-American organizations. It’s no
accident that many of the organizations
showcasing their offerings at the festival
are up-and-coming community groups and
cultural clubs that benefit from the
exposure. The volunteer-powered festival
gathered people interested in community
to give of their time, energy, and resources
to local nonprofit groups.
“This is a great event for smaller and
younger community groups to reach more
people,” said Ito. “Natsu Matsuri feels like
family.”
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