Mark H. Rooney dances across the stage as the Taiko drumming group performs in the Fairhaven Town Hall auditorium during the Manjiro Festival on 10/7/23. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Despite the rain, the Fairhaven Town Hall auditorium had a full house while the Taiko drumming group performed during the Manjiro Festival on Saturday, 10/7/23.
Outside, a bit of a drizzle met a smaller crowd, and just a handful of vendors, but the Yakisoba noodle line never let up.
A couple of the vendors said they actually did pretty well, although the crowd was small due to the weather.
Organizer Gerry Rooney, President of the Whitfield-Manjiro Friendship Society and Museum, said the people who did show up probably had the intention of buying something, and since there were not as many vendors to choose from, those who were there did very well.
Chris Mendes from Cobblestone Headwear was selling baseball caps with “Fairhaven” on them. She said she usually has a larger selection, but because of the weather, she kept it simple. She also said she was happy with the sales she got.
The spirits were high inside and outside as many of the activities moved indoors.
At the 1 p.m. performance of the Taiko drumming, featuring Mr. Rooney’s son Mark and his group, nearly every seat in the auditorium was occupied.
Luke Cushanick of Wareham, tried his hand at Ken-Dama, a traditional Japanese game of skill using a hand held wooden toy. Under the instruction of Zoe from the Japanese Consulate, Mr. Cushanick managed to successfully catch the ball in the socket.
“It’s a fun challenge,” said Mr. Cushanick.
The festival celebrates the life of Manjiro Nakahama and his connection to Fairhaven. Young Manjiro was 14 when he was rescued from a deserted island in the Pacific by Whaling Captain William Whitfield in 1841.
Manjiro was educated in Fairhaven and became instrumental in opening Japan to the west. The ties between Fairhaven and Tosashimizu, Manjiro’s home village, and the ties between the Whitfields and Nakahamas have endured through the decades.
Learn more about Manjiro’s story at https://fairhaventours.com/manjiro-nakahama/, https://whitfield-manjiro.org/the-manjiro-story/ https://millicentlibrary.org/manjiro-2/
The museum is located at 11 Cherry Street in Fairhaven, and is open by appointment. Email Gerry@WMFriendshipHouse.org or call 508-858-5303 or 508-995-1219
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- Luke Cushanick of Wareham reacts when he successfully catches the ball in the socket playing ken-dama, a traditional Japanese game, while his instructor, Zoe, from the Japanese Consulate in Boston, watches, on the mezzanine of the Fairhaven Town Hall during the Manjiro Festival on 10/7/23. Photo by Beth David.
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- Jeff Pierce of Originals by Pierce, waves to the local free sheet as he sells his scrimshaw from his spot on Center Street in Fairhaven during the Manjiro Festival on 10/7/23. Photo by Beth David.
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- Members of the Taiko drumming group are very expressive during a performance in the Fairhaven Town Hall auditorium during the Manjiro Festival on 10/7/23. Photo by Beth David.
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- Debbie Rock sells a variety of quilted items from her spot on Center Street in Fairhaven during the Manjiro Festival on 10/7/23. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 10/12/23 issue: 10-12-23 ManjiroFest
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