Happy crowds enjoyed the Oshogatsu Family Festival in historic Little Tokyo district

The Japanese American National Museum in the historic Little Tokyo district of downtown Los Angeles hosted its popular Oshogatsu Family Festival on Sunday, drawing happy crowds who enjoyed the traditional mochitsuki performance by drumming group Kodama Taiko, where sweet sticky rice is pounded into a smooth and elastic dough to the beat of taiko drums. Mochitsuki is a cherished tradition symbolizing gratitude, hope for prosperity, and strengthening community bonds through shared effort.

Another drumming group...