Japan Day@Central Park, which was inaugurated in 2007 to promote friendship between Japan and America, evolved into the Japan Parade in 2022. This year marks the third run of the parade, where students and lecturers from the Japanese Language Courses at Fordham University had the delightful experience of marching with the Wakayama Prefectural Association of New York. Wakayama Prefecture had the privilege of parading with a grand American flag. Renowned for its natural beauty, Wakayama Prefecture features the seaside Shirahama Onsen and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, a World Heritage Site since 2004. The parade saw participation from approximately 100 groups, including popular anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” as well as performers of traditional Japanese music and dance.

Sherry Fujisawa, the President of the Tomodachi Club at Lincoln Center (beginning Fall 2024), participated in the Japan Parade wearing a Heian Isho, a style of kimono traditionally worn by nobles during Japan’s Heian period. Below is Sherry’s reaction:

Unlike the traditional kimono or furisode I have worn previously, the Heian Isho is relatively easy to wear. However, this does not diminish its beauty, as the outfit comes in vibrant colors and well-made accessories. Noble people wore the Heian Isho during their pilgrimage or at cultural festivals, so I was very honored to have the opportunity to wear it for my first Japan Parade experience. Since the noblewomen of the Heian era were rarely visible to the public, the outfit came with a veiled hat. A fun fact about these veils is their length – the shorter veils indicate a younger woman. I hope more people will get to see the Heian Isho in the following years, as it serves as a tangible link to the rich history of Japan and fosters a sense of continuity and cultural pride!

General info:

https://whttps://www.japanparadenyc.org/ww.japanparadenyc.org/