You smelled the Ginza fest before you found it.
Like heavy footprints on a backwoods trail, the smoky smell of teriyaki chicken led guests through the maze of skinny streets that wind behind the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago.
Just after 6 p.m. Friday, thin lines of people turned into a crowd that oozed about, enjoying the 37th annual Ginza Holiday. At the entrance to the yard behind the temple, the most-asked questions were ”What`s the charge?”
and ”Where`s the chicken?”
”It`s an important learning experience for everyone, including second-and third-generation Japanese,” said event chairman Albert Sora, as a cash box was continally opened to collect the $2.50 admittance fees.
”Try the chicken,” Sora told newcomers. ”It`s wonderful.”
It is. Served with a ball of rice and Japanese cole slaw and chopped into easily consumed pieces, the soy sauce-coated and grilled meat was by far the most popular dish on a menu that featured sushi, ”udon” (Japanese noodles in broth), grilled corn on the cob and ”Kintoki” (shaved ice flavored with sweet beans.)
As the adults eyed handmade jewelry and fabric wallets, children played with brightly colored plastic swords and water guns that sold swiftly for $1 and $2 each. Others found it hard to choose at a table laden with attractive bags of tea nuts, honey balls, ginger folds, seaweed wrap and crazy mix (a jumble of nuts in a plastic bag featuring a samurai).
Like the food, the celebration that highlights Japanese culture and celebrates the 37-year-old church at 435 W. Menomonee St. has been a popular draw.
Touted as the ”biggest and most elaborate Japanese event” of its kind in Chicago, the fest stretched out over the large yard and had the feel of a carnival as master craftsmen from Japan worked in the center of the court.
There were Ichimatsu dolls with handmade kimonos and human hair; hand towels called ”tenugui,” and wooden spinning tops, the shavings from which scattered across the yard every time a cool wind blew, which was often.
”It`s a wonderful time,” dollmaker Yasuo Fujimura said through an interpreter.
”Even though I`m in America, I almost feel at home,” said his nephew and assistant, Takashi Fujimura, who sat crossed-legged in stocking feet, making dolls so lovely that many of those who paid from $50 to $1,500 for them vowed never to play with them.
”I love the dancing and all the handmade pieces. The drumming at the end of the evening is wonderful,” said Rose Thill. She was referring to
”Taiko,” a demonstration of rapid-fire drumming and simultaneous dance, that capped off the stage presentations which also featured folk dances and judo.
So engrossed were most guests that actor Ken Olin was able to walk about unbothered, sipping an icy pop and watching the show.
He was in town with his 8-year-old daughter visiting his parents.
The three-day event ends at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, when winners of the grand raffle prize, a trip to Japan, will be announced.
