Culture Track Programming at AX 2019

At Anime Expo, we love to celebrate and share Japanese culture! This year, we have a wide range of culture-focused programming that highlights some of the most beautiful, unique traditions from Japan. Stop by and learn ikebana, taiko, kanji-writing, and so much more! Check out the programming that will be offered at AX 2019 below!

For information about lining up and room entry, please see the Program Room Policies.

Wednesday, July 3 (Pre-Show Night):

Wearing Kimono for Beginners: The kimono is simplistic in its design and form with the ultimate silhouette being an undisturbed column falling gracefully from shoulder to floor, but do you know what all goes into creating this illusion of simplicity? Join Shannon Shea, a certified kimono dresser, in this interactive demonstration on how to wear kimono in the traditional fashion and what is the minimum amount of items needed to wear a kimono for cosplay that will be comfortable all day long.
- WS1 (403 B) @ 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Day 1 – Thursday, July 4:

Ikebana Demonstration: Japanese Floral Sculpture: Ikebana is the ancient Japanese art of floral sculpture. Its heart is the beauty resulting from color combinations, natural shapes, and graceful lines created using flowers, branches, and other floral materials. This demonstration will highlight the beauty and grace of 3 different types of ikebana followed by Q&A.
- WS1 (403 B) @ 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Taiko Workshop: Interested in learning about taiko, or Japanese drumming? Come to the workshop hosted by the premier taiko ensemble, Senryu Taiko, for a hands-on experience to learn about taiko basics, artform, history, and more! Come make beats with Senryu Taiko, even get to play a song yourself!
- WS1 (403 B) @ 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ghosts, Yokai, and Urban Legends: Did you know that during a thunder storm you are suppose to Japanese folk lore: you need to cover your tummy up when you sleep to not get struck by lightning. OR did you know the dead are buried with their head on the north side so it’s bad luck to be sleeping with your head on the north side of your bed. We’ll be discussing Japanese superstitions, folk lore and horror stories. Then we’ll try to keep you alive by giving you some good luck to ward away those pesky yokai by teaching you some popular good luck charm tricks like The Money Rice Charm! (No: We are not professional Japanese Exorcists)
- WS2 (406 AB) @ 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Day 2 – Friday, July 5:

How to write Kanji character for Anime: Come join a lecture on how to write anime kanji clearly, how to emphasize kanji characters, and how to make it look similar to text in a manga. There are various kanji characters such as names of people, names of deathblow, and onomatopoeia-an emphasis on sounds and voices. There’ll also be a free drawing space where you can experience doing calligraphy. This lecture is good for creators and designers who are interested in Japanese arts.
- WS1 (403 B) @ 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Learning Japanese by Japanese Animation: You will learn a lot of Japanese words & cultures by FUJI SCHOOL professional Japanese language teachers. We will use contents from Japanese Animations. You will have a lot of fun!
- WS2 (406 AB) @ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Tanabata Festival: Come celebrate the Tanabata Festival with us, and learn the story and history behind this old Japanese matsuri, and help us build another Anime Expo kazari designed by the AX staff. You can even write down your wishes on a tanzaku. So please come join us for this one of a kind workshop.
- WS2 (406 AB) @ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Introduction of Shinto by Shinto priest: Many Japanese animation and manga, from Pokemon to Spirited Away, have influences of Shinto in their setting because Shinto is the basis of Japanese culture and custom. This lecture, I introduce what is Shinto, praying method as well as Japanese Mythology.
- WS2 (406 AB) @ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Miko (Shrine maiden) training by Shinto Priestess: Miko is the assistant for Shinto priest at a Shinto Shrine. You might have seen characters as Miko serving at shrines in animation/manga. In this workshop, you learn the job of Miko as well as how to wear Miko outfit. You must take “Introduction of Shinto” lecture first before you take this workshop
- WS2 (406 AB) @ 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM