The following is the "Matsuri '99" article from the latest Japan-America
Society of Vermont Newsletter.  PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE MATSURI WORD, AND
FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO ALL IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK!    Please send reply e-mail
to Ronald Borch at [log in to unmask] (don't reply to everyone on the LIST) to
request to be placed on the JASV mailing list and to receive the next
newsletter.   Hope to see you all at MATSURI '99!

As  we  enter  the  final  stages  of  putting together MATSURI '99, we are
looking forward to an exciting day for one and all.  Billed as JASV’s main
event, MATSURI  ‘99 – our biennial Japanese Festival –  will be held at St.
Michael’s College’s Ross Sports Center on Sunday, March 28 from 11:00 AM to
5:00 PM.
	This year we will again feature Stuart Paton and the Burlington Taiko
Drummers on our center stage as well as Vermont Aikido, Aikido of Champlain
Valley and a demonstration by Andres Corrada using the traditional sword art
of Iaido.  In addition we are pleased to welcome Heidi Western on the koto.
Our  very  own  Mutsumi  Corson,   together with Jason Pepe and Kazue Oda
will  play  traditional   Japanese music.  Also,  St.  Michael's  College
Students led by Prof. Hideko Furukawa will perform the Bon Odori Dance.  In
addition, the Jericho Elementary School 4th graders will put on a special Noh
presentation.
	Other activities and demonstrations will include Ikebana, Haiku, Tea
Ceremony, Origami, Wood Block printing, Calligraphy, Kimono try on, and
Japanese  language  and  culture lessons.  Soft drinks and Japanese food will
also be available from area vendors.
	We will also hold a raffle with some very nice prizes.  This year, raffle
proceeds will be donated to the Allan Andrews  Scholarship  Fund  at  the
University  of  Vermont,  to  promote Japanese Cultural Exchange.
	Volunteers are still needed, so if you would like to help out in some way
(free   admission   and   “Matsuri   ‘99”   t-shirts for all volunteers!) call
(802) 655-4197 for more information.