Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

Japanese sword fighters square off before performing a demonstration during Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. Before and after each match, fighters take time to pay respects to one another. Hundreds of base residents attended Japan Day 2015 to absorb various forms of Japanese culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

Taiko drummers perform during the opening ceremony of Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. This was the 28th Annual Japan Day event which allows Misawa service members and their families to experience their host nation’s culture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

A Japanese volunteer begins the process for carving a Hannya mask during Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. The Hannya mask is used during Japanese theatre productions called Noh, and is used to represent the souls of jealous women. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

A Buddhist-practitioner sits in meditation during a Zen instruction class at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. The class was one of Japan Day’s many events offered to Americans and their families. The class offered instructions on how to properly meditate, including breathing techniques and ways to pray. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

A team of young Japanese drummers perform during the Japan Day opening ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. Dozens of performances took place to highlight and recognize Japanese traditions throughout the day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

Two Japanese girls tune their koto, a traditional Japanese instrument, during Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. The girls, along with other volunteers, showed their prowess by playing instruments like the koto, flutes and the popular taiko drums. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

An Airman from Misawa Air Base, Japan, paints a dragon cartoon onto a kite April 11, 2015, during Japan Day. Dozens of Misawa residents worked with their Japanese counterparts creating art and constructing kites that were flown as part of the celebration of Japanese culture at Misawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

Japanese hand-carved wooden Hannya masks rest on display at the Misawa Club at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. The Hannya mask is used during Japanese theatre productions called Noh, and is used to represent the souls of jealous women. Along with traditional Japanese performances, multiple booths were on display highlighting Japanese culture for Misawa’s service members and families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

A Japan Day volunteer instructs a child how to play the koto, a traditional Japanese instrument, at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. Volunteers from as close as Misawa City and even as far south as Iwate prefecture visited the base to share Japanese culture with Americans and their families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

Japanese Hina dolls sit atop a display during Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. This display of Hina dolls, often a decorative piece for celebrations, was showcased in the main lobby of the enlisted club along with other exhibits like Bonsai trees and various paintings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released)

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Misawa Air Base celebrates Japan Day 2015

Published April 13, 2015
By 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Over 2,000 Americans and Japanese nationals attended the 28th Annual Japan Day at Misawa Air Base, Japan, April 11, 2015. The day-long festival allowed Americans a chance to experience Japanese culture through events like a samurai sword demonstration, classes on meditating, art projects dancing exhibitions. Japan Day brings together both Americans and Japanese in order to strengthen host-nation ties.