Date: June 18, 2004
For Immediate Release
JAPANESE FESTIVAL AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
WHAT: 2004 Japanese Festival
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 4 and Sunday, Sept. 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 6 (Labor
Day), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri
COST: $10 adults, $7 seniors, $3 Garden members, $3 children ages 3 to 12, free for
members’ children (18 and under).
NOTE: Festival admission will be charged beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept.
4; the Garden will be open for early morning walkers from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 4.
SPONSORS: Missouri Botanical Garden and the Japanese Activities Committee
INFO: General Garden information is available online at
www.mobot.org
(ST. LOUIS): The classical samurai martial arts known as koryu, an anime feature film, taiko
drumming and tea ceremonies will bring the ancient traditions and modern culture of Japan to the
Missouri Botanical Garden on Labor Day weekend. The annual Japanese Festival will be held on
Saturday, Sept. 4 and Sunday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m.
A lively procession featuring an omikoshi shrine and a dashi stage carried through the crowd
will precede the ceremonial breaking of the sake barrel to open festivities at 11 a.m. on Sept. 4.
Activities begin at 10 a.m. all three days and continue until 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and until
5 p.m. on Monday.
The 2004 festival theme is the pine, or matsu, a native tree cherished in Japan since ancient
times as a symbol of endurance, longevity and utility. At Seiwa-en, the botanical garden’s 14-acre
Japanese “garden of pure, clear harmony and peace,” pines are carefully pruned and trained to display
their classic beauty to the fullest.
Guided walking tours of the Japanese Garden will offered on the half hour each day from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours will depart from the boat-shaped basin at the north entrance to the Japanese
Garden. Candlelight walks will begin on Saturday and Sunday evening at 8 p.m.
(over)
ADD ONE: Japanese Festival
The powerful Hinode Taiko Rising Sun Drummers of Winnipeg, Canada will return to
perform at the outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2 and 7 p.m.;
and Monday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. An integral part of Japanese celebrations, taiko drums, cymbals,
gongs and flutes interpret nature sounds of thunder, rain and crashing ocean waves.
A screening of an anime (“AH-nee-may”) film, the Japanese cartoon animation inspired by
comic books and popularized by Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh, will be presented by A.J. Trujillo of Star
Clipper Comics shop. A full-length, action-adventure film for adults will be shown on Saturday
evening, Sept. 4.
The simple yet profound ritual tea ceremony known as chado performed on Teahouse Island
is always a popular festival attraction.
The Candyman, Masaji Terasawa, will return with his crowd-pleasing sidewalk magic. Other
activities will include bon odori summer festival dancing, displays of bonsai and ikebana botanical
arts; ice sculpting; origami workshops; demonstrations of Zen and Japanese cooking; children’s
activities and crafts; and a kimono fashion show. An outdoor marketplace will offer all sorts of
merchandise and cuisine.
Admission to the Garden each day during the festival is $10 adults, $7 seniors, $3 Garden
members, $3 children ages 3 to 12, and free for members’ children (age 18 and under). Festival
admission will be charged beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. The Garden grounds will
open at 7 a.m. on Sept. 4 for early Saturday morning walkers. Admission includes all entertainment
except tea ceremonies, which require $10 tickets purchased on the day of the event.
More information about the Japanese Festival will be posted online in August at
www.mobot.org.
The Japanese Festival is sponsored by the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Japanese
Activities Committee, a coalition of organizations that includes the Japanese American Citizen’s
League, Japan American Society of St. Louis, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of St.
Louis, St. Louis Japanese Language School for Children, St. Louis-Suwa Sister Committee, St. Louis
Japan Society, Seinen Committee, The Women’s Association of the Japan America Society, and the
Office of the Consulate General of Japan in Kansas City.
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St. Louis, Missouri - Annual Events 
