Ennichi Corner was the most popular attraction for the children at the Honolulu Festival once again. This was the second year for Ennichi Corner. The booths included yoyo hooking, goldfish scooping, cork guns, ring toss, cotton candy and kendama. Many families, couples and children were in attendance. The workers at the booths were also having a great time with the little ones. According to Tomoaki Higuchi, a staff member at the goldfish scooping booth, "We've prepared 2,000 goldfish for the two days. We hope that many children will come visit our booth!"
The children visited each booth at Ennichi Corner. The children at the goldfish scooping booth were seriously trying to scoop the goldfish without wetting their paper scoopers. Kendama was a difficult task to accomplish. The children kept on trying over and over again to put the ball into the stick on the top of the toy.
The children painted their take tombo (bamboo helicopter) the colors of their choice. The take tombo professionals from Japan showed each child how to fly their toy. The colorful bamboo helicopters soared into the sky. There were people learning how to fold the Daijayama dragon. That was a difficult origami to make. You could hear the cork guns going off continuously. There were many babies in their strollers, little children eating their cotton candy, children on top of their fathers' shoulders beating the taiko…so many wonderful images of families just having a good time. A typical Ennichi atmosophere!
Professor Linda Fujikawa of Kapiolani Community College's Japanese Department and her students gave a short seminar on the true meaning of Ennichi. They explained how Ennichi was derived, something that even Japanese people may not be familiar with. As the kanji reads, it is "go en no hi", a day of celebrating a special relation with one's deity. We learned that it is about the connection of people and overcoming religious differences. This seminar put together by the students was part of their mid-term exam. It was an interesting presentation, the easy to understand explanation by the energetic and smiling professor, and the assistance by her pumped up students! Professor Fujikawa explained, "Irasshai! (Welcome!) Ennichi is normally held at shrines. Shrines are part of the Shinto religion. In Shintoism, all creation, all things have spirit, all living things are connected. In this way it is much like the Hawaiian spirit. Please connect with one another and enjoy Ennichi!" Professor, students and spectators all ended the seminar with Sanbon Jime, a Japanese custom of ceremonial rhythmic hand clapping, performed at the end of a special event. Pretty neat.
The Ennichi Corner was enjoyed by all, the Japanese who live in Hawaii, the local folks and the visitors. Good fun!
These brothers came to the goldfish scooping booth with their mom who is originally from Japan. They were happy to scoop up so many goldfish.
Her first time to play the yoyo hooking game. Very proud of her accomplishment!
Uranai Corner, fortune telling, first time at the Honolulu Festival. The person having her palm read is quite serious!
Mom helps with the cork gun. Which toy are they aiming for?
The little girl wears yukata and has her picture taken, creating a wonderful memory for her.
The couple, came from Canada, enjoys Ennichi.
They had their names written in Japanese.
The staff work hard for the children. The cotton candy was once again popular this year.
Hiroshima Okonomiyaki made by Sammy's Restaurant. Tastes just as good as the ones from Japan!
The Ocean Dim Sum booth. Everybody in Hawaii loves dim sum!
The Korean food booth Miga Won, their restaurant is right across the Hawaii Convention Center. Lots of bento!
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Ennichi Corner was the most popular attraction for the children at the Honolulu Festival once again. This was the second year for Ennichi Corner. The booths included yoyo hooking, goldfish scooping, cork guns, ring toss, cotton candy and kendama. Many families, couples and children were in attendance. The workers at the booths were also having a great time with the little ones. According to Tomoaki Higuchi, a staff member at the goldfish scooping booth, "We've prepared 2,000 goldfish for the two days. We hope that many children will come visit our booth!"
