Fordham students join the Japan Parade NYC

Five students from Professor Yoko Sakurai's JPAN 1501 and JPAN 2001 courses marched in the Japan Parade NYC this spring, joining the New York Wakayama Prefectural Association. This year the association was given the honour of carrying the large official Japanese national flag along the route.

Easa Gomez, from JPAN 2001, led the music performance wearing Wakayama's traditional Heian Isho costume.

I really enjoyed playing percussion instruments with other participants who also wore Heian Isho! Participating in the Japan Parade gave me an opportunity to experience Japanese culture in a meaningful way.

The rain did not deter the marchers, who were cheered along the route. The department thanks Professor Juan Montoya of the music faculty for lending the instruments that made the performance possible.