Idaho State University Japan Night set April 7 at Pond Student Union

The Idaho State University Japanese Club will present its annual Japan Night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in the ISU Pond Student Union Ballroom.

This cultural event will be a celebration of Cherry Blossom season with sounds, sights, smells and food of Japan.

Everyone is invited to share the club’s celebration of the 100^th anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the United States, as a present of friendship in 1912. These trees now line the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C., and are the centerpiece for the annual U.S. National Cherry Blossom Festival every spring since. To mark this event this year the Japanese government has chosen to honor each of the U.S. states with a gift of cherry trees.  ISU has been chosen as the State of Idaho’s recipient of cherry tree seedlings to help beautify the campus.

In addition, this year's Japan night will observe the anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan on March 11, 2011. To commemorate this event the club will feature a special short video of thanks (Arigato) produced by the people of Japan to thank everyone around the world for their help.

Last year the ISU Japanese Club, with the generous help of ISU students, staff and Pocatello residents, donated more than $15,000 that was sent to the Japanese Red Cross to help victims of the devastation.

This year's event features fabulous authentic food cooked by the ISU Japanese faculty and students and will include makizushi, inarizushi, miso soup, teriyaki chicken, potato salad, tempura, dessert and drink.

A slide show, accompanied by Japanese music during the dinner will feature the natural beauty of Japan, its people and culture, and interesting J Facts – facts about Japan. Entertainment to follow will feature an opening parade and songs, piano music, demonstrations by Pocatello Karate, the ISU Judo and Kendo clubs, origami demonstration with audience participation, traditional fan dance and yosakoi sooran (fisherman’s) folk dance, and Taiko (Japanese drum) performance.

During the event, Japanese goods will be available at a club shop and a silent auction of goods and services donated by local people and businesses will be available.

Tickets for Japan Night will be available in the ISU Pond Student Union Lobby and Rendezvous Complex March 12-16 in the Rendezvous of ISU, and March 19-23 in the PSUB, and April 2 to 6 in the both Rendezvous and PSUB from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They may also be purchased at the door and directly from Japanese Club students. Ticket prices are $9 for general public, $8 for ISU faculty and staff, $7 for students, and free for children under 5.

Tickets will also be available at the door on April 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m., but will be a dollar more. Attendees will be able to enter the Ballroom immediately after buying or present their tickets, so there should be no waiting in line.