Traditional Kaiseki Dinner at Margaret Kuo’s, a Kick Off to the 2014 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival

On Friday, April 11, 2014, Margaret Kuo’s, 175 E. Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, PA, will host a traditional kaiseki dinner from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. as part of The Japan American Society’s 17th Annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival. Kaiseki, a traditional, multi-course Japanese dinner, is known as the haute cuisine of Japan and has been described as an art form that observes the harmony between food and nature. The evening begins with complimentary sake and hors d'ouvres and is then followed by a demonstration of a simple tea ceremony. The dinner continues with the serving and explanation of several beautifully presented dishes and the final course will be a seasonal sweet and a bowl of matcha (green tea).  Dinner costs $65 per person; reservations may be made by calling Margaret Kuo’s at (610) 688-7200.

Additional Festival events include the Cherry Blossom 5K on Saturday, April 12 as well as Japanese Culture Week at the Liberty Place Rotunda where participants can get hands on experience with kimono dressing, origami and other activities April 7-11. There is also an amateur sushi-making competition, film screenings and more. The centerpiece of the Festival is Sakura Sunday on April 13 at the Horticultural Center in West Fairmount Park, offering a full day of food, world-class traditional music and dance performances, martial arts, colorful crafts and activities for all ages.  A complete listing of events is available online at http://www.subarucherryblossom.org and event information is available by calling 215-790-3810.

About the 2014 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival: The 2014 Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia, a project of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP), with tremendous support from Subaru of America, Inc as title sponsor.  The project aims to foster a better understanding of the cultural, social, and educational customs of Japan building on the JASGP commitment to plant and maintain cherry trees in local parks.  To date, JASGP has planted more than 1,000 cherry trees, supplementing the 1,600 flowering trees presented by the Japanese government as a gesture of friendship in 1926.  Upon completion of its 1,000-tree pledge in 2007, the JASGP shifted its focus to plantings in community and neighborhood parks to help green and beautify urban communities.  Since 2008, cherry trees have been planted in Clark Park, Franklin Square, and Morris Park.

Digital photos and additional information on cherry trees, cherry blossom traditions in Japan, and the work of the JASGP are available at www.subarucherryblossom.org

About the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia: Founded in 1994, the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia is an association of individuals, corporations and organizations devoted to fostering relationships between Americans and Japanese by promoting and encouraging better understanding of the business, cultural, social, educational, and political practices and customs of Japan and the United States.