JAPANESE FOOD & CULTURE FESTIVAL AT LONDON’S SPITALFIELDS 19TH SEPTEMBER
A major festival celebrating many aspects of Japanese culture and the 150 year Japan / UK relationship Comes to Spitalfields hosted by the Japanese Residents’ Association and The Japan Society and supported by The Japanese Embassy in London
We are told visitors will be able to enjoy a taste of Japan’s rich culture at this unique and special festival which will welcome in the autumn season and also bring together art, craft, music, dance, food, theatre, puppetry, games and family activities.
Over 20 Specialist Food Stalls
Over 20 stalls will offer a selection of delicious Japanese Foods, where visitors can try yakisoba (stir fried noodles often sold at Japanese festivals), takoyaki (octopus dumpling), yakitori (chicken skewers), curry, sushi, okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancakes), tempura, o-den stew, traditional Japanese sweets and a selection of sakes.
A host of interactive arts & crafts and visual displays
Visitors can participate in the Bon dance (a traditional festival dance with music) and also learn about ancient cultural traditions. Shizu Usami, a professional calligrapher visiting especially from Japan, will demonstrate ‘Shodo’ the art of writing beautifully. Other displays will include an exhibition of Japanese art and a series of thrilling martial arts demonstrations, styles will feature Aikido, Kendo, Iaido and Genkiko.
Free Children’s entertainment and workshops
Children (and all young at heart!) can also learn about Japanese culture by participating in free activities; they will be invited to help decorate the Omikoshi (Japanese shrine) for the parade, discover facts and add their experiences on a giant Map of Japan, add to the ‘Wishing Tree’ and get creative in the origami workshops and on the manga wall.
Free performances on the Main Stage
Unique performances have been programmed on the Main Stage throughout the day, including a choreographed ikebana flower arrangement by leading Sogetsu school master, Takashi Sawano.
Inspired by one the longest running TV shows in Japan, Nodojiman – The J Factor is the festival’s singing competition for budding amateur performers. Taiko drum performances will be given throughout the day by Thames Taiko and pupils from the Japanese school in Acton, with a grand finale by the legendary Joji Hirota and his taiko drummers. Green Chorus, a group of Japanese women, will perform their repertoire of traditional songs from Japan and the super cool Anglo-Japanese musical group ‘Frank Chickens’ (who recorded several sessions for John Peel’s Radio 1 show) will make a special guest appearance, reforming just for Japan Matsuri. The programme additionally features ‘Shinnai’ a style of narrative singing (performances are often dramatic and intense) and traditional Okinawa music with Eisa folk dance. Also on the line up is Hanjiro, a four piece jazz -inspired band, popular on the indie music circuit.
Toby Brown, Spitalfields Estate Director “Spitalfields has a history of welcoming and being home to many different cultures, it offers the perfect spot for East to meet West”.
Matsuri in Japan are a celebration of a local community; they involve local organisations, groups of friends and families. Even the major festivals, which attract visitors from all over Japan and the world, have their roots in community.
Japan Matsuri at Spitalfields is no different. London now has a Japanese community of over 60,000 people. This is their opportunity to celebrate with their friends of any nationality and with their families.
Since diplomatic and trading relations were first established between Japan and the UK in 1858, each country has acted like a magnet on its counterpart, drawing both visitors and future long-term residents in the creation of a matrix of long-term relationships. Japan Matsuri 2009 is, in part, a celebration of this 150 years of exchange and also celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the 1858 Treaty of Commerce and Amity between Japan and England.
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