By Beth David, Editor
This weekend’s festivities include Japanese culture, a live fire demonstration, and a chance to help the animal shelter raise funds, all in Fairhaven.
Manjiro Festival
On Saturday, 10/7, the 16th Manjiro Festival will fill the streets around Town Hall in Fairhaven with Japanese culture, food and demonstrations, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the corner of Center and William streets. The festival is held every other year in Fairhaven, and in Tosashimizo, Japan, on alternating years.
The Japanese-American festival commemorates Manjiro Nakahama, the first Japanese person to live in America, and the town’s Sister City connection with Tosashimizu, established 30 years ago in 1987.
There will be Japanese and American music and food, martial arts demonstrations, taiko drummers, flower arranging, raffles, food and craft booths, a tea ceremony, and much more! There is free admission to the festival, the bus tour of the Manjiro Trail, Captain Whitfield’s house, and the Old Stone School House. Demonstrations and some activities at booths are also free. Vendors will be selling food and a variety of other items.
Sponsored by the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society. For more information email Gerry@ WMFriendshipHouse.org or call 508-858-5303.
Manjiro was 14 years old and stranded on an island in the Pacific when he and four companions were rescued by Capt. William Whitfield of Fairhaven in 1841. Young Manjiro returned to Fairhaven, where he was educated and learned advanced navigation. He became instrumental in opening up Japan to the west.
The two families kept their friendship alive, even through WWII.
Manjiro’s story is kept alive in both Japan and the US. The Whitfield-Manjiro Frienship Society operates a museum at the Captain’s house on Cherry Street in Fairhaven. Visit http://www.whitfield-manjiro.org/ or http://fairhaventours.com/manjiro-nakahama/to learn more about Manjiro’s story.
See page 8 for info on a Manjiro exhibit at the Whaling Museum.
Raise the Woof F-R
Fund-raiser to benefit the Fairhaven Animal Shelter, 20 Bridge St., Fairhaven, Sat., 10/7, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Open House, yard sale, vendors, music and food. Help us raise $5,000 for the shelter roof repair. For more info, call the shelter, 508-979-4028
Fire Dept. Open House and Safety Demonstration
The Fairhaven Fire/EMS is sponsoring the annual Open House in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, on Sun., 10/8, at Fire Headquarters, 146 Washington St., Fairhaven, from 1 to 3 p.m.
pen and FREE to the public, this even will include a variety of activities for children, demonstrations and FREE pizza. Fire trucks and police vehicles will be on display for children to explore. Activities include: “Jaws of Life” demonstration, fire extinguisher demonstration, “Sparky the Fire Dog,” Free balloons and Papa Gino’s pizza, life fire practice session, sttaion tour, emergency medical services display, and much more. ALL events are free and all are welcome.
Manjiro Workshops
The WMFS is also offering a series of after school workshops for teachers and community members this fall.
• Wed. Oct. 18, 3:45–6:15 p.m. Making the Connection of Japanese Culture and the History of Manjiro and Capt. Whitfield at Capt. Whitfield’s home, 11 Cherry St., Fairhaven. 10 PDP’s available to teachers at no extra cost; tea, fruit, and Japanese snacks are included. Tour of the Whitfield House, Kamishibai Theatre presentation of Manjiro’s rescue with gift of the book Kamishibai Man by Allen Say. Learn common Japanese idiomatic conversation, Origami.
• Wed., Nov. 1, 3:45–6:15. Calligraphy. Simple calligraphy with brush, make a scarecrow face of Hiragama, Japanese alphabet, Geography of Japan. Whaling map activity with Captain’s journal entries, Otedama (bean bag game), learn counting in Japanese
• Wed., Nov 15, 3:45–7:15. Visit to Manjiro’s Old Stone Schoolhouse. Timeline of world events, Japanese language review plus “My name is….”/school words, songs, Bento box cooking class (inari sushi, maki, miso soup, edamame).
Cost: $125 Payable to: WMFS (Whitfield/Manjiro Friendship Society) 11 Cherry St. Fairhaven, MA 02719 by Oct. 10th. For info, gerry@wmfriendshiphouse.org
Click here to download the entire 10/5/17 issue: 10-05-17 BoatsAtMarina
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