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Photo gallery of 3rd Annual Japanese Mochitsuki celebration

January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

The Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC, of which I am the website Editor) held our 3rd Annual Tucson Mochitsuki celebration for Japanese New Year’s at PCC Downtown , 1255 N. Stone Avenue on Saturday, January 9. This event has grown from its inception 3 years ago at Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson, then to last year at Rhythm Industry Performance Factory, home of the popular Odaiko Sonora taiko drummers. This popular taiko troupe help open the celebration’s festivities.

Odaiko Sonora preparing to do the opening welcome. Photo credit Brandy Gannon

Odaiko Sonora performing,photo credit James Tokishi — Odaiko Sonora performing, photo credit James Tokishi

Odaiko Sonora drummers at 2016 Mochitsuki, photo credit James Tokishi

Here are more photos of the event, focused on the Japanese tradition of cooking, mashing, pounding rice into mochi cakes. Samples of the mochi were provided to attendees (oshiruku soup), along with a festival atmosphere of various Japanese cultural activities, performances, games, and information.

Video of Odaiko Sonora performance and other activities by freelancer James Tokishi:

https://www.facebook.com/AzBunbunmaru/videos/577442482414877/?theater

Usu (mortar) and kine (mallet) before the pounding. Photo credit James Tokishi

Mochi pounding, photo credit James Tokishi

2016 Japanese New Year’s Mochitsuki celebration

January 5, 2016January 5, 2016 by Carolyn Classen

The Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural Coalition (SAJCC) invites the Tucson Community to the 3rd Annual Mochitsuki.

Learn about Japanese New Year’s rice pounding tradition on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at Pima Community College Downtown campus, 1255 N. Stone Ave. at NW corner of Stone and Speedway. 11 AM to 3 PM.

$5 adults & children under 5 free. Attendees should use the westside parking lots.

Mega Mania! Summer Mania! at PCC Downtown

July 10, 2015July 10, 2015 by Carolyn Classen

Mega Mania! Summer Mania! at PCC Downtown on July 11 More manga, anime, comics, cosplay, gaming, prizes, and art & writing workshops than you can imagine! PCC Downtown is at 1255 N. Stone Ave. (north of Speedway Blvd.) Happening all day: Cosplay – Show off your costume or make your own. Then take your picture at … Read more

Enjoy Megamania at PCC Downtown

July 8, 2014 by Carolyn Classen

From the Pima County public library website, for a fun MegaMania event on July 12 at PCC Downtown, 1255 N. Stone Ave. , 2 to 6 p.m. Here’s the extensive schedule below (and there’s also a pdf version of the schedule to download & print from their website).

Happening All Afternoon

Cosplay—Show off your costume or make your own. Then take your picture at the drawing wall!! Library
Video gaming—Open play with Injustice, Super Smash Brothers, and other favorites!! Amethyst Room
Tabletop gaming—Open play with classics and new favorites, hosted by Pulp Gamer. Amethyst Room
DC vs. Marvel giant chess—Avengers assemble! Justice League unite! Play giant chess as your favorite superhero team. Amethyst Room
Go on an origami safari and learn to fold your own menagerie. How many can you make? Galleria (CC building, second floor)
Make your own tiny ninja with the Fun Ninja Cool Craft. Galleria (CC building, second floor)
Learn Japanese martial arts with A-Long Kung Fu. Amethyst Room West Patio (outside)
Go home with sugoi J-Pop giveaways from Freegal. Atrium
Anime viewing—Kick back and watch some old favorites or discover new ones with R-Galaxy! Library Learning Studio (LB 153)
Giant Angry Birds—Shoot life-sized irate fowl at porcine piglets. Amethyst Room South Patio (outside)
Blast your creativity into the future with Scratch animation software! Drop in for a ninja-quick demo and leave with samurai-level skills! Learning Studio (CC 215, second floor)
Kids! Deck out your superhero secret identity and make your own masks and capes!! Library