Memphis Japan Festival Doubles Garden Fun, Halves the Price Sunday, Sept. 24

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Japan Festival comes 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 24 to the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Guests gain access to traditional and contemporary Japanese-themed entertainment, food, music, magic, dance, children’s activities and more – including the special sculpture exhibit "David Rogers’ Big Bugs at the Garden" – all at half off regular garden admission prices.

Festival guests will experience unique Memphis debut performances by:

• Daikin America Taiko from Decatur, Alabama, whose authentic taiko drum performance will open the Festival and return throughout the day with the addition of interactive Japanese folk dancing

• Missouri-based Bunraku Bay Puppet Theater, performing traditional Japanese puppetry known as “ningyo joruri” or Bunraku, will also offer insights into the world of puppetry with workshop and interactive “Puppet Petting Zoo”

• Kentucky’s Kent Family Magic Circus, a Japanese-American family whose canvas spans the stage and the sky, will bring a unique mixture of theater, vaudeville and trapeze to Festival guests.

Additionally, Florida’s famed Epcot Center “Candyman,” Masaji Terasawa, returns to traverse the Festival with his one-man show, incorporating magic tricks, stories and the ancient Japanese art of amezaiku, sculpting hot taffy into shapes of animals.

Joining Festival headliners will be enthusiastic local performers, including University of Memphis Bon-Odori Dancers and masters and aspiring martial artists from various disciplines representing Fudoshinka Dojo, Mid-South Aikido and the United States Naginata Federation.

The Festival will be held outdoors, rain or shine. Half-price admission fees are $5 per adult and $2.50 for children 3-12 years old. Admission is free for children under 2 years. Parking is free of charge.

An advisory council and a working committee of active community volunteers provide essential support for this celebration. Primary funding is provided by civic-minded corporate sponsors and individual donors. Tax deductible donations may be made online or on-site at the festival.

For more information, visit www.memphisjapanfestival.org.

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