Saturday, September 20, 2014
I got a taste of all things Japanese on Saturday after spending a few hours at the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. Thousands of people walked through the halls of the event center and were treated to demonstrations, food, culture and kids activities. Sumo wrestling, martial arts, kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) and much more were demonstrated throughout the day. Kids made kites and played games. Taiko drum groups and choruses performed on stage. There was candy making, cooking, bento box preparations, swords, anime, the smells of delicious food. It was a little slice of heaven.
Sophia Roland (left) waits in line for the opening of the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth as her sister Isabella plays with her hair on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Scott Witt (right) is thrown from the ring by Packy Bannevans as Michael Gokey waits for his turn to compete in the sumo wrestling demonstration during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Zhe Cai (right) and Haruki Ishii sell fortunes to attendees of the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Natalie Lucas (right) makes a kite as her mother Kelly watches during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Colin Kiester (right) and his brother Fox look at different animation series themed tiles and shirts during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Jae Adkins (left) and Nona MacKenzie look at different animation series themed stuffed animals during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Cheng Son stirs a grill full of nakisoma during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Reiko Blackwell (left) shows Ailin Yang the proper way to draw a traditional Japanese bow during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Aaron Blackwell aims his arrow at the target during a Kyudo demonstration for the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Kennedy Hensley (right) and Falon Tomlin play Taiko drums during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Tony Mastrobertie plays a Taiko drum during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Nyla McKay (center) plays a Taiko drum during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Kyle Watkins plays a Taiko drum during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Mike Donham holds a bento box full of food during a demonstration for the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Chihiro Tanaka runs with her newly built kite during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.
Candy Miyuki (right) forms a bird out of candy during the 2014 JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Saturday, September 20, 2014.