*Kibō Nobori Festival in Downtown Little Tokyo*

It’s that time of year again……We are preparing for the 4th annual Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival taking place May 3rd 2025. (It always falls on the first Saturday of May, during AAPI Month, in celebration of the Japanese national holiday “Kodomo No Hi.” (Children’s Day”))

When I created this festival 4 years ago, I had no idea it would become an annual tradition like this or that over 2,500 people would come each year. I’m overjoyed it has become such a well loved tradition in this community and am so thankful to my partners Terasaki Budokan for making it possible.

The name “Kibō Nobori” translates as “hope flags” in Japanese and is inspired by “Koi Nobori”, the famous fish flags that hang in Japan during that time. The goal is to spread “kibo”/ hope throughout the community, teach Japanese cultural traditions to a whole new generation, and showcase emerging and established AAPI talent.

As an artist, I love to be of service to the community -- and for that reason, this project has been one of the most rewarding of my career.

This year, while our long time partner co-mrkt is taking a break, we will be featuring a new marketplace by Filled Market, so there will be exciting new vendors. And we will announce sponsors + vendors in April. So save the date and stay tuned!

*My flag series “Kibo Nobori” flying high over the festival in 2021.*

The idea Kibō Nobori came about in late 2021, I wasn’t sleeping much while nursing my youngest baby. On one such sleepless night, I found myself entranced by visuals from the national holiday Kodomo No Hi (“Children’s Day”) in Japan, where people hang colorful “Koi Nobori” / fish flags in the streets, in front of their homes, and very dramatically in rows over rivers. (This national holiday is the reason for this emoji: 🎏.) That night, I dreamed of creating an art series inspired by Koi Nobori as well as creating an immersive, colorful playground in Little Tokyo - reflective of the spirit of this holiday - in Los Angeles. I dreamed of a space where kids and adults alike can play, connect with their inner child, and celebrate the youthful spirit within. ( After all in LA, we celebrate mother’s day and Father’s day - - so why not celebrate Children’s Day too?)

*Original Tatebayashi Koi Nobori Festival in Japan (via Japanagram)*

I spent the next series of sleepless nights creating the series and also a presentation - - I reached out to Terasaki Budokan to see if they were interested in partnering….and the rest is now history. Over 4 years, the festival has grown organically and exponentially. Since this festival is taking place in Little Tokyo state-side, I wanted to make sure that it reflected the traditions of Japan but also in a fun, modern, eclectic manner - showcasing the range of Japanese and AAPI talent. Free for all ages, each year, we have a full line-up of performances, dancers, speakers and culture bearers - from Olympic athletes to kids hip hop dance, to traditional Odori dancing. Upstairs, there are free activities for kids - from bracelet making to making your own koi nobori to writing their dreams on little pieces of tanzaku and hanging them up in the playground.

It’s an unforgettable beautiful day of festivity, hope, family, and community. So whether you have kids or love art, you should come check it out!!

P.S. If you can’t make that weekend, during the full month of May, Terasaki Budokan displays my flag series in their plaza, while hosting a series of events for AAPI month. It’s a beautiful space and venue and worth a trip to Little Tokyo to go see it!

Kibō Nobori Children’s Day Festival May 3rd 2025

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