Japanese Warriors To Demo Skills in Missouri City

(Springfield, MO) — Springfield, Missouri plans to celebrate Japanese culture this weekend, with its annual Japanese Fall Festival. Lisa Bakerink of the Springfield Sister City’s Association says it’s a way to honor their nearly 40-year relationship with Isesaki, Japan.  Bakerink says the events, in Springfield’s Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, begin Friday and continue through Sunday.  She says there will be a wide range of cultural activities and demonstrations including a performance by headliner Samauri Sword Soul, which is a New York theater company that demonstrates traditional Japanese sword fighting, mixing comedy, drama, and technique.  She says archery students from Tokyo will also be on hand to demonstrate their skills and visitors will learn about Japanese culture.  “They can learn about other cultures, they can appreciate other cultures.  We (Springfield Sister City Association) really exist to provide those cultural opportunities and even more so to provide an opportunity to make friends with people,” said Bakerink.