Culture

At Portland Japanese Garden, String Music and Plum Branches Usher in the New Year

Since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, attendees also painted dragons.

By Bennett Campbell Ferguson and Michael Raines
O-SHOGATSU FESTIVAL: Portland Japanese Gardens (Michael Raines)

The Portland Japanese Garden kicked off the new year with its annual O-Shogatsu celebration, treating attendees to a packed day of art, music and performance.

Among the entrancing sights were kadomatsu—traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo and plum branches—and a performance by Oregon Koto-Kai (a koto is a traditional Japanese zither with 13 silk strings and movable bridges).

Since 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, attendees also painted dragons, practicing Sumi-e (Japanese brush painting) and celebrating the start of a year when those born are prophesied to become intelligent, impassioned leaders.

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Bennett Campbell Ferguson

Bennett Campbell Ferguson is WW's assistant arts and culture editor, a Portland-based journalist and film critic. When not writing, he enjoys playing the piano, hiking and reading comic books.

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