Japanese Inspiration for a Quinceañera with an Exotic Flair

The ancient Japanese culture holds secrets that you can find in your favor to surprise your guests with delicious and simple details that will make your party a memorable evening. From the decor to the lighting, party favors, smells and even the arrangement of the elements within the space of the room you can find in the traditions of the ancient Empire of the Rising Sun or the modern vision of Japan.

Open your notebook, it is a long list of reasons you’re inspired by Japanese culture. From origami and wallpapers, ideal for your invitations to the arrangements of ikebana, the Zen gardens or bonsai for the decoration of the room, the spirit of Japan can take by assault your imagination. And while further investigation into the traditions of this island town dating back to the Paleolithic.

Living in Los Angeles at hand Japanese tradition as close as a trip to Little Tokyo, as well as some local markets such as Marukai, Mitsuwa Marketplace Nijiya Market to name a few, among many options that offer the best of Japan’s culture. Therefore, we will give some clues that can help shape the concept of your party with Japanese-inspired:

Decorative elements: The classic Japanese decor is based on Zen principles, born of Buddhist philosophy that seeks peace and harmony through balance. The lighting is very important part of this style and simplicity, natural elements such as plants, sand, stones, water and basic geometric shapes. Ordered spaces, a few decorative elements, indirect lighting, rice paper panels, curtains and stopped. The use of slides, floating lanterns, paper lamps and dim lights on mirrors of water, both indoors and outdoors, help to achieve an environment where the only thing that stands out is the balance. The best thing about living in Los Angeles is that you can rent a room and save on authentic Japanese decor, because the environment is already created.

Key colors: Black and white. The red represents the sun and the colors of the elements as the earth (brown and beige), fire (orange and ocher), water (deep blue), green jade and emerald green, cherry pink.

Decorative arts: calligraphy, paintings, masks, dolls Kokeshi beautiful or old paper dolls, kites, pottery and porcelain, silk fabrics and kimonos are an endless source of inspiration for both the set to the general concept of your party. Do not even have to go far for inspiration in Japan, just by turning on the TV or go to a toy you’d be surprised with everything that is truly Japanese and part of our technological environment: from the avant-garde minimalist decor to comics and Japanese animation (anime, manga), the electronic pets (Tamagotchi) and video games are Japanese elements that are part of your life without that perhaps you’ve noticed. With all that you can be inspired to do from invitations to table settings and souvenirs to take home.

The flowers and aromas:

There are many flowers associated with Japanese culture, the main one is the lotus, is revered because it means the ability to create beauty from the mud, as the flower emerges from the marshes and has been associated with elevation zen spiritual culture. The image of the lotus lantern is ieal for floating in the pool or to use as centerpieces candlesticks. Another flower of deep meaning in Japan are the Sakura or cherry blossom, symbolizing the cycle of life and the transience of human existence. As for the flowers represented in the iconography of another Japanese favorite is the chrysanthemum and in terms of aroma, jasmine. Another flower that is prized for its delicacy is white peony. The tradition of bonsai trees, cypresses and Zen gardens are key elements that can be used as details for the tables, the lobby or decorate the buffet table as a pagoda. For their part, do not forget about ikebana, an art that has been enthusiastically embraced by modern florists who have managed to create beautiful arrangements based on current basic principles of Japanese art.

On the table: The variety of flavors that can taste your guests if you breathe in Japan, ranging from the tradition of tea to the different styles of sushi, other seafood and vegetable dishes, sweet rice, mochi ice cream and tempura and true wagash (Japanese sweets). The advantage of Japanese food is that you can serve on a platter as inputs, presented in buffet, food stations (with live chef included) or a full dinner served, depending on your budget.

If you want to go beyond the decorative or culinary concept and also surprise with the music, you can do a number of traditional as surprise dance, act out the scene in “Tutta la primavera” (“Flower Duet”) from the opera Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini your court dress as geishas and samurai, or include contemporary electronic music in your DJ sets.

Some important festivals:

In Japan on 3 March is the “Hina Matsuri” or ceremony of the dolls, a festival that has to do with wishing health to children and want marriage for marriageable daughters. In Japan there is no party like a teenager, but every January 15 people who will turn 20 in this coming year celebrate their coming of age (Seijin no hi).