Views from the Aki Matsuri Fall Festival at Expo New Mexico

Experience the annual Japanese Fall Festival by the New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League (NMJACL).

Larissa ’28, Photography and Graphics Editor

September 30, 2025

Arts & Culture

The 2025 Japanese Fall Festival Aki Matsuri took place this past weekend at Expo New Mexico. Experience Japanese art, from the visual and performing arts to the martial arts in this photo story.

Madi Sato, center, accompanied by her family while singing a song from the Japanese Ainu. (Larissa ’28)

An ink and calligraphic painter doing live demos in front of his booth (Larissa ’28)

A watercolor painter working her booth (Larissa ’28)

A ceramicist’s live throwing demonstration (Larissa ’28)

And do some hands-on crafts too!

A hands-on origami booth (Larissa ’28)

Alex Willson of AKKA Karate USA leading the demo team in a blocking sequence

Larissa '28
Raven ’26 of AKKA Karate USA leading the demo team in Boxing Form

Larissa '28
The Lil’ Dragons performance group of AKKA showing their self-defense skills

Larissa '28

Yaeko Miyazato from Miyagi Ryu Okinawan School of Dance (Larissa ’28)

This year’s Matsuri featured a headline performance by San Jose Taiko, a drumming group from California:

San Jose Taiko preparing for their next set (Larissa ’28)

San Jose Taiko taking on the main stage (Larissa ’28)

Warren Macdonald of San Jose Taiko (Larissa ’28)

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