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Celebrating Japanese culture

Published:Sunday | February 2, 2014 | 12:00 AM
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From left: Claudia Barnes, former Jamaican ambassador to Japan; Minister Anthony Hylton; Sayoko Takase, wife of the Japanese ambassador; Yodite Hylton, and Japanese Ambassador Yasuo Takase.-PHOTOS BY Gladstone Taylor/Photographer
Neil Robinson (left) and Karl Miller demonstsrate the aikido, a Japanese art of self-defence.
Hannalh Smith in a synchronised swimming routine.
Matthew Sinclair (left) watches as Jabari Brown attempts to write a Japanese character.
From left: Kemar Morgan, Rochelle Williams, and Jheanelle Mendez look at some jewellery on display by Naoko Kosho of Chupse.
Cai-Lee Chong (left) watches closely as Miwa Sugawara demonstrates te art of origami, a traditional Japanese art of paper folding.
Manao Takemoto and daughter Ririka Takemoto try their hands at balloon art.
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Shanica Blair, Gleaner Writer

It was an enthusiastic crowd that converged on the grounds of Hotel Four Seasons on Saturday, January 25, reaffirming the admiration and appreciation by an increasing number of Jamaicans for Japanese culture. This time, it was for the exhibition of Japanese calendars, put on by the Japanese Embassy with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan Exchange & Teaching Alumni Association (JETAA).

One of the Japanese Embassy's first events for the year, the Beer Garden at Hotel Four Seasons on Ruthven Road served as the hub for all the activities. It was a day filled with fun, games, demonstrations, and activities for the entire family.

In his opening remarks, Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica Yasuo Takase said: "It is the first in our yearlong celebrations, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations and friendship between Japan and Jamaica as well as the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year. By the efforts of our governments, the eagerness of our peoples and our artists, we have been exposed to an intimate blend of Japanese and Jamaican culture and art forms over the years. I hope you will enjoy the Japanese calendars."

He invited everyone to enjoy the demonstrations at the booths.

The exhibition included various cultural demonstrations such as aikido (a Japanese art of self-defence), synchronised swimming, Anime Cosplayaz demonstration, and Mishida gym demonstration. There were also various Japanese art, jewellery, and floral arrangements on show.

In case you have missed it, the next cultural showcase will be on March 8 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, which will take the form of a festival.

shanica.blair@gleanerjm.com