12:30 pm

The opening performance of the Earth Day event, "Tsurune" (Sound of Bowstring), features the ancient bow, a single-string instrument whose resonating tones have symbolized purification in the Emperor's household and Buddhist traditions for centuries. This evocative sound sets the tone for the event.

1:00 pm

A community taiko group based out of the Terasaki Budokan in Little Tokyo, ed by Maceo Hernandez and Walter Nishinaka.

1:30 pm

Join us for a ukulele performance by Chester Ikei, featuring traditional Japanese nature-themed songs in honor of Earth Day. The set will highlight the beauty of rivers, forests, and seasons through peaceful and reflective tunes.

2:00 pm

Shodo performance by Kuniharu Yoshida, a Japanese calligrapher and Hip-hop dancer. He will be creating a large-scale Kanji character, 芽 (Me/Ga), which means "to germinate." This symbol represents Earth Day — the idea of seeds germinating and trees sprouting new leaves. Yoshida will draw the Kanji character in real time using the Oracle script, a writing style developed around 1500 BC.

3:00 pm

Nikiko Masumoto will give a reading of Every Peach Is a Story on the Norman Y. Mineta Democracy Plaza at 3 p.m. during the 10th annual Delicious Little Tokyo in collaboration with Sustainable Little Tokyo’s Earth Day Celebration.