Search 
O-Shogatsu Festival, Japanese New Year
The following description was submitted by the event organizer.
O-Shogatsu is a time of celebration for the start of a new year and hopes of happiness and prosperity to come. Portland Japanese Garden will celebrate the beginning of 2026, the Year of the Horse, or Uma in Japanese, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with family-friendly activities and performances. Guests can also admire the kadomatsu, traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum branches, created by the gardeners.
Schedule:
Many programs will be taking place at various times and locations around the Garden:
Stop in to learn how to paint a horse, in honor of the Year of the Horse. According to folklore, people born under this zodiac sign are sociable, quick thinkers, and skilled at both finances and paying compliments.
Enjoy Edo Kotobuki Jishi, the celebratory traditional lion dance of Tokyo, performed by Portland Shishimai Kai in the Jan Miller Living Room. Throughout Japan, shishimai has been used for centuries to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. During this performance, the shishi (lion) will go into the audience and gently bite people’s heads to offer good luck for the rest of the year. It is common in Japan to see audiences waving bills of money to attract the shishi to come in their direction. Shishimai is typically performed during New Year’s celebrations, weddings, company functions, parties, and other festive occasions.
Following this performance, Eien Hunter-Ishikawa will give a talk about the traditional lion dance of Tokyo, a celebratory event.