Ceremonial fun and games

If words like “Quidditch,” “Hogwarts” and “Hobbit” are uttered far too often in your household nowadays, it may be time to expose the family to some culture outside Hollywood.

Beginning Friday, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center will host a series of programs commemorating Japanese New Year, or Oshogatsu, one of the Asian country’s most significant holidays. Arts and crafts, traditional dances and an exhibition of greeting cards are among the events planned.

“Many children are unaware of the customs that go along with ethnic celebrations,” says Kym Aoki, manager of community programs at the Japanese American center. “They have so much else occupying their time -- movies, video games, the Internet -- but we hope events like this will help them understand different cultures.”

Oshogatsu, which begins in December and lasts through the first week of January, is a time for the Japanese to wipe their slates clean. Folks tidy up dwellings and work spaces, hoping to start the upcoming year renewed.

Mothers whip up special dishes such as tai (sea bream) to channel good fortune into the home, and children play games that are only brought out at this time of year.

These games will be the centerpiece of Friday’s events at the center. Kids can learn how to make tako (kites), hagoita (paddles used in a sport similar to badminton) and other toys at workshops designed for ages 7 to 12. “It’s a chance for them to see what other kids their age are doing in other countries,” Aoki says, “and maybe they’ll make some connections to the traditions that they follow around the holidays, too.”

Festivities continue on Jan. 5 when the ceremonial first performance of the year, or Kotohajime, plays out on the center’s plaza. The show will include rituals such as breaking a sake barrel and shooting an arrow, performed by L.A.’s Kyudo Kai archery school, accompanied by taiko drums. “Shooting the first arrow is very symbolic,” says Hirokazu Kosaka, the center’s director of visual arts, who will lead the fanfare. “The arrow is supposed to purify the space.”

The day’s highlights also include a Kabuki dance concert and the opening of the shikishi (greeting card) exhibition. Dating back 1,000 years, the notes were originally meant to deliver poetry but are now used to express any personal thoughts.

Though Kosaka hasn’t completed the display, he expects to showcase more than 200 cards, made by local artists, celebrities and dignitaries, reflecting their hopes for the new year. Just don’t expect to see any signed by a certain Mr. Potter.

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What’s on for Oshogatsu

Where: All events held at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center complex: 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A.’s Little Tokyo.

Oshogatsu workshop: Friday and Monday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Center members, $20; general admission, $25.

Kotohajime celebration: Sunday, Jan. 5. Opening of shikishi exhibition, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free, runs through Feb. 2; first performance of the year, 1-1:30 p.m., free; Kabuki dance concert, 3 p.m. Center members, $20; general admission, $22.

Info: (213) 628-2725.