Party marks Japanese New Year

If you didn’t make it to any New Year’s parties Jan. 1, you still have an opportunity to welcome 2004 in style. The Japan-U.S. Program of Middle Tennessee State University will conduct its annual New Year’s celebration and potluck dinner Jan. 24 beginning at 5 p.m. at the MTSU Foundation Reception House, 324 Thompson Lane.

Ordinarily, Japanese New Year, or shogatsu, lasts from Jan. 1 to 3, but the Japan-U.S. Program delays its party annually to accommodate schedule conflicts.

“Those who can cook Japanese foods are encouraged to bring Japanese cuisine, especially the kinds associated with the New Year celebration,” said Dr. Kiyoshi Kawahito, economics and finance, and director of the Japan-U.S. Center. Each attendee is encouraged to make an edible contribution with beverages provided.

In Japan, foods made especially for New Year’s parties include ozoni (soup), otoso (sweetened rice wine), kuromane (candied black beans) and toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles) symbolizing longevity.

Kawahito said the festival will include demonstrations of traditional Japanese dances, martial arts and Southeast Asian music, as well as door prizes. He will also review last year’s activities at the Japan-U.S. Center and preview upcoming events.

The Japan-U.S. Program’s New Year’s celebration is free and open to the public. Dress is casual.

For more information, contact Kawahito at 615-898-2229 or at [email protected].