" UK’S Biggest Free Japanese Festival Returns this September "
Japan Matsuri, the UK’s biggest free annual celebration of Japanese food and culture, returns to Trafalgar Square this year as part of the Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-2020.
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✤ The theme this year is “Future Generations” ✤
A regular fixture now in the London calendar, this free annual festival brings people together to enjoy Japanese food, music, dance, and activities for all the family!
◉ The whole square will be bustling with activity areas, stalls selling Japanese goods and offering information on travel in Japan, alongside a second stage dedicated to martial arts where the full spectrum of Japanese martial arts will be on display.
◉ Alongside a jam-packed programme of music, entertainment and food, Japan Matsuri is the perfect event to experience the best of Japanese culture in the UK.
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✤ PERFORMANCE & EXHIBITS ✤
The festivities are coming to the UK with workshops, performances, and a feast of Japanese food.
◆ Stage
The martial arts stage will showcase expert demonstrations from karate, kyudo, aikido and kendo groups from around the UK.
◆ Performance
Full main stage programme of Japanese music, performing arts and dance.
◆ Food
Fill up on authentic Japanese cuisine from 16 of the best Japanese street food stalls including the UK debut of Japanese fast food favourite MOS burger. The food vendors includes takoyaki octopus balls, yakisoba, sushi, kaki-gori (shaved ice), wagyu burgers and much more.
◆ Family
The family activity tent will teach parents and kids alike manga, calligraphy, origami and more.
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✤ MAIN STAGE ✤
With two stages, there is plenty to see all day. The programme of stage performance for this year is still being finalized and will feature exciting new acts.
★ Iwami Kagura by Otsu Kagura Troupe
An eight headed giant monster made from paper will astound the audience to tell the ancient Japanese myth, The Story of Orochi (The Giant Serpent). The 17-meter-long serpent bodies are made of bamboo and Sekishu washi, a UNESCO-listed Japanese paper. In this most popular play of Iwami Kagura, the realistic movements of undulating serpents is a great spectacle; as though the world of Japanese mythology unfolds before the audience’s very eyes.
★ ICHI
In a performance that has to be seen to be believed, ICHI is a one-man band using his own unique and wonderful homemade instruments and incorporating toys and everyday objects into his performance, he creates a sound that is ‘Hilarious & Bonkers & Brilliant’ in the words of Radio presenter Lauren Laverne. This euphoric and eclectic performance will delight people of all ages; a performance not to be missed.
★ Joji Hirota &The London Taiko Drummers
Joji Hirota & The London Taiko Drummers return to Japan Matsuri to fill the square with the mighty thunder of huge taiko drums. Joji’s intricate and fascinating rhythms and soundscape take us from traditional rhythms through to melodic drumming.
★ Hasiken’s ‘Uta’ music of Okinawa, Amami, Japan
In 1993 Hasiken studied traditional folk songs in Okinawa and made his major debut in 1995, going on to release more than 20 albums in Japan. He has been serving as the tourism ambassador of Amami Oshima since 2006 and will touch your heart with the unique, lighthearted sound of songs from Okinawa.
★ Okinawa Sanshinkai / Kenjinkai and Sonda Seinenkai Eisa Group
Members of the famous Sonda Seinenkai Eisa group have travelled all the way from Okinawa to perform with the London Okinawa Sanshinkai at Japan Matsuri 2019. The Sonda Seinenkai are possibly the most illustrious Eisa group in Okinawa, having won the Okinawa Eisa contest a record number 7 times in 21 years.
★ Hibiki Ichikawa & Akari Mochizuki
Tsugaru Shamisen/Music from Japan featuring Calligrapher Kisen Kuzuya. The versatility of the Tsugaru Shamisen will astound listeners as Hibiki and Akari perform music from Japan including solo shamisen performance and pieces with singing accompaniments. This year the performance will feature a collaboration with special guest, calligrapher Kisen Kuzuya.
★ Yosakoi London, Temuzu
Yosakoi London, Temuzu is a yosakoi dance group based in London. Yosakoi is a highly energetic Japanese dance style; a modern take on the traditional summer dance of Awa Odori.
★ Hiroko Tanaka Nihon Buyo Group
Refined and elegant, Nihon buyō is a dance form that has been improved throughout four centuries. Influenced by four major dance forms, Kabuki, Noh, Folk Dance, and Western Dance, Nihon Buyo has taken on an entirely unique character. The grace and intention of the movements are a delight to watch.
★ O-HA-YA-SHI Couple“Reiwa” Group
Founded in 2003 as a 4 person family group in Boston, Massachusetts, the children have now flown the nest and the new “O-HA-YA-SHI Couple “Reiwa” will formally debut at this year’s Japan Matsuri. Openly admitting to “overcoming a midlife crisis by performing traditional culture”, this couples unique take on the traditional Lion Dance of Japan will surely entertain.
★ Celebrating the Ruby World Cup 2019 with Naomi Suzuki
To celebrate Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Naomi, one of the special ambassadors of the host city, Fukuoka, will delight us with her rendition of the Rugby World Cup theme song the “World in Union”.
★ Daikagura
Michiyo Kagami shares with us a special daikagura performance. Daikagura is most similar to juggling, but it is an irrefutably Japanese traditional performance with more than 1000 years history.
★ Let’s Dance Awa Odori
A dance festival like no other, the simple dance moves can be picked up quickly, so why not join in the dance procession through the square? After all, as the song of the festival goes: “The fools dance and the fools watch, if both are fools you may as well dance!”
★ Radio Taiso
Radio Taiso (Radio Exercises), have been part of Japanese life since the 1920s, and people of all ages take part in these simple exercised to improve their health. Conducted in unison, and easy to learn, why not join 5-time Paralympic gold medallist Noel Thatcher and give the exercises a go?
★ Nippon Club Women’s Choir, The Green Chorus
Celebrating the power of singing through their daily activities, the Japanese Women’s Choir The Green Chorus have taken part in every Japan Matsuri since its inception. The group is always willing to welcome new members to join the group.
★ London Bunka Yochien, Eisa Dance
The children of the London Bunka Yochien and their parents have been delighting the crowds with their version of a traditional Okinawan Eisa dance since the very first Japan Matsuri.
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✤ ANNOUNCEMENT ✤
◯ About Japan Matsuri
Now in its 11th year, Japan Matsuri has grown in to the largest free festival in the UK celebrating all aspects of Japanese culture. This year marks the launch of the Japan UK Season of Culture, a bilateral season of cultural events happening in both nations. For information on the Season of Culture please see▼
https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/SeasonCulture/index.html
◯ About the Japan-UK Season of Culture
The Japan-UK Season of Culture will unfold in 2019 and 2020, when Japan hosts two sporting landmarks: the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. It seeks to build on the British people’s keen interest in these events by showcasing Japan’s multifaceted attractions. The organizer of Japan Matsuri hope that people all over Britain will join the event in embracing this chance to deepen mutual understanding, thus helping to create an enduring legacy.
◯ Support
The festival is arranged by volunteers with the support of the Mayor of London, the Greater London Authority, Westminster Council, The Japan Association, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the Nippon Club, Japan Society, the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan.
◯ Photo Credit
Photography by Makoto Kawakami
◯ Photo Gallery▼
https://www.instagram.com/japan_matsuri/
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◉ For more information, please access the event's homepage from below▼
http://www.japanmatsuri.com
