Mr. Masato Okubo performs his rendition of the Japanese and American National Anthems on the flute during the 25th Annual Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Japan Day was an opportunity for Misawa residents and their families to immerse themselves in various aspects of the Japanese culture. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Left to right: The Honorable Kazumasa Taneichi, Misawa City mayor, U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, and his wife Jenn Rothstein along with other members of the Misawa community take a moment of silence in prayer for the victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami during the 25th Annual Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. More than 500 people attended this year's event to enjoy modern and traditional Japanese cultural presentations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Mr. Takao Sasaki paints Kanji characters representing "bond" for both Misawa City and Misawa Air Base during the 25th Annual Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Writing a short phrase in Kanji was one of the many cultural displays attendee's had the opportunity to take advantage of during the one-day event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, gives opening remarks during the 25th Annual Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Attending Misawa residents immersed themselves in traditional and modern dancing, music, singing and drumming performed by local groups and schools. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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The Honorable Kazumasa Taneichi, Misawa City mayor, gives opening remarks during the 25th Annual Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. The event was sponsored by the Misawa International Club and was free of charge for the Misawa Air Base community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Jenn Rothstein, left, along with her husband U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, center, and the Honorable Kazumasa Taneichi, Misawa City mayor, cut the ribbon to kick off the 25th Annual Japan Day, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. More than 50 cultural displays, hands-on demonstrations, live music, and theatrical demonstrations were available for Misawa residents to enjoy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, receives good luck from a lion during the Kagura sacred music and dance performance part of the 25th Annual Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. The event featured more than 600 Japanese artisans, craftsmen, entertainers and cooks. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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The daughter of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Renee Bates, 35th Medical Support Squadron, gets fitted for a kimono during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Japan Day represents an unique opportunity for Misawa residents to experience Japanese culture. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Linda Casale, left, mother of Jodi Hooks, Cummings Elementary School librarian, watches as Setsuko Abo shows her how to embroider during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Japan Day was an opportunity for Misawa residents and their families to immerse themselves in various aspects of the Japanese culture. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Setsu Yamamoto shows the daughter of Jessica Jones, Security Hill contractor, how to properly do brush art as she paints a flower during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Brush art was one of the many cultural displays attendee's had the opportunity to take advantage of during the one-day event. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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Jenn Rothstein, left, wife of U.S. Air Force Col. Michael D. Rothstein, 35th Fighter Wing commander, gets help from Kyoko Furuya as she properly arranges flowers during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. More than 50 cultural displays, hands-on demonstrations, live music, and theatrical demonstrations were available for Misawa residents to enjoy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown/Released)

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A member from the Aomori Kite making and display team prepares his kite during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Kite flying became popular in Japan during the Edo period. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Kites fly in the sky during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Kites were brought to Japan by Buddhist monks around the seventh century, and were used to avert evil spirits and ensure rich harvests. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins/Released)

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Yosakoi Soran dancers perform during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Yosakoi is a highly energetic dance, combining traditional Japanese dance movements with modern music. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)

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Students from Hachinohe Higashi High School perform a calligraphy dance during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. The students performed twice, making a large banner in Japanese and then one in English. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)

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Students from Hachinohe Higashi High School hold up a finished product from their calligraphy dance during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. The students combined dance and calligraphy to make large messages. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)

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Tawada Suijin Thunder Drummers perform with Taiko drums during the 25th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 7, 2012. Taiko originated as a form of spiritual worship but now it is commonly used in a variety of settings. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay/Released)

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Misawa residents experience modern, traditional Japanese culture

Published April 9, 2012