2019 VNCS Japanese Cultural Fair

Time Slot

Activity

Location

Taiko Performance #1

Uminari Taiko Hear, see and feel the thunder of Japanese Taiko! Come see Uminari Taiko, Vancouver Island’s premier taiko ensemble, deliver a high energy performance that will move and shake you to the core. Note: Taiko Performance #1 and #2 at the 2019 Japanese Cultural Fair are totally different sets.

http://www.uminaritaiko.com/

Iaido – The Way of the Sword

Chris Tooley and Shoshinkai Victoria Iaido
Iaido is the traditional Japanese martial art of drawing and cutting with the samurai sword. The purpose of Iaido is to develop awareness, centeredness, sincerity, a calm mind, and mental and physical harmony through the practice of traditional sword techniques. See Iaido practitioners in traditional outfits demonstrate form and techniques (waza) of this unique martial art.
http://www.iaido.ca/?page_id=2

Tea Ceremony #1

Chado Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea.

Lesser known gems of Japanese cinema

Donovan Aikman
Looking for something a little different? Want to explore beyond  Kurosawa, samurai films, and anime? Come to the 2019 Japanese Cultural Fair and discover of the lesser known gems and genres of Japan’s vastly influential cinema history with Donovan Aikman, former programmer for The Victoria Film Festival.

Kendo

Victoria Kendo Club
Kendo is a Japanese martial art based on the use of the samurai sword. In kendo, protective armor (bogu) modeled on samurai armor is used, and bamboo sticks (shinai) represent swords. The primary purposes of kendo are to develop awareness, centeredness, wholeheartedness, endurance, concentration, respect for others, and self-confidence.  Kendo can be approached in different ways as a competitive sport, for physical health, for spiritual and mental development, or as an introduction to Japanese culture and philosophy.

http://www.victoriakendo.com/

Kimono and its
Seasonal Differences

Hitomi Harama
Kimono is a Japanese traditional garment, with a history of more than a thousand years, and embraces various cultural implications. Traditional Japanese aesthetic design motifs are mainly drawn from the beauty of nature and seasonal differences, and they are reflected in the designs of Kimono textile weavings, pattern motifs, colours, etc.  Hitomi Harama, Kimono specialist, will introduce you to seasonal differences and their aesthetic applications in the world of Kimono, as well as the Japanese cultural implications in the seasonality of Kimono.

VJHLS Soran Dancers & VJHLS Chorus

Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School
The Soran Dancers will perform an energetic dance to music based on the Japanese traditional song Soran Bushi. This song is about fishermen in Hokkaido. The choreography depicts fisherman pulling in nets and ocean waves. The group will also performing Paprika (パプリカ). Paprika was written by Kenshi Yonezu as part of the NHK 2020 Song Project which was set up to cheer on everybody in the run up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and beyond. It is said that Yonezu chose the title Paprika (bell pepper) as the food comes with many bright colours, which represent children.

The Chorus group will perform 2 songs. The first one is Doremi no uta.  This song opens with the choir playing music-bells. The second one is Furusato which means hometown. Both songs are sung in harmony.

http://en.vicnihongo.com/

Koto Performance #1

Satomi Edwards
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument dating back to the 7th century. Professional koto player Satomi Edwards will perform traditional and contemporary pieces from Japan. These authentic sounds will take attendees at the 2019 Japanese Cultural Fair back to ancient times in Japan.

Cosplay on a Budget

Amanda Bragg, Tsukino Con
This presentation is to inform those of the world they are going to be stepping into.

Kamishibai Story Telling

Yuri Pomeroy

Kamishibai, (kah-mee-she-bye) or “paper-theater,” is said to have started in Japan in the late 1920s, but it is part of a long tradition of picture storytelling, beginning as early as the 9th or 10th centuries. Yuri Pomeroy will read Japanese children’s stories translated into English, using Kamishibai story boards. Come join us in the Children’s Room!

Karate Demonstration

Integrity Arts

At Integrity Arts they study the traditional arts of Aikido, Karate, Yoga, and Tai Chi. And they combine this ancient wisdom with modern science to create power leaders that are needed for today’s world. Students will demonstrate the tradition practice and techniques of Aikido and Karate, including two-person self defence tactics.

https://integrityarts.ca/

Ikebana Demonstration #1

Michiko Seguev
Come to admire and learn more about the beauty of Japanese flower arranging. Sensei Michiko Segeuv will create several arrangements that demonstrate the principles of the basic forms as well as some free style arrangements. A gallery of ikebana made by Michiko’s students will be on display all day at the 2019 Japanese Cultural Fair.

Enjoying Japanese Vegetables in your Kitchen and Garden

Umi Nami Farm

Come learn how to make tasty, fresh, and healthy food with Japanese
vegetables! Many Japanese vegetables are available in Victoria and a member of Umi Nami Farm will describe some simple and easy techniques to enjoy them at home, with a focus on fresh and raw eating. We’ll also talk about some tips for growing Japanese vegetables in your garden.

Umi Nami Farm specializes in Japanese vegetables and offers year-round organic produce. The farm moved from Iwaki, Japan to Metchosin, BC in 1996. http://www.uminamifarm.com/

Minyo – traditional
stringed instrument

Rina El-Nahas
Rina and the Japanese Minyo Band is a traditional Japanese music band playing music called Tohoku Minyo from the northern area of Japan. Rina has been performing and playing this style of music since age of 5 and won numerous awards in Japanese Traditional Competitions in Japan. Rina is also an accomplished shamisen player. (A shamisen is a traditional 3 stringed Japanese instrument.) Rina will be accompanied by her husband Danny also playing the shamisen and her son Eric and daughter Naomi doing back up vocals and playing percussion instruments.

Shakuhachi – the Japanese flute

Hugh Barclay
Hugh Barclay is a experienced musician with 50 years of experience playing a variety of brass wind instruments. He took up the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute, 18 years ago. He will introduce you to the shakuchachi and will perform pieces from each of 3 genres of music – classical, folk songs and modern songs, and include a couple of popular songs from the early 1900s.

Judo Demonstration

Victoria Judo Club
Junior judoka will present basic judo techniques, followed by senior judoka demonstrating formal throwing techniques (Nage no Kata), and self-defence techniques (Goshin Jutsu). The Victoria Judo Club is a non-profit organization in continuous operation since 1957. The club’s goal is to provide high quality instruction in a safe environment for children, youth, and adults. Judo is a martial art and Olympic sport that is practiced around the world. Judo culture promotes mutual welfare and benefit (自他共栄 Ji-ta Kyou-ei). All instructors are all volunteers and bring the commitment and passion that comes from a lifelong dedication to the sport. http://www.victoriajudoclub.com/

Tea Ceremony #2

Chado Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association
The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea.

Japanese Folk &
Nursery Songs

Yuria Wakai 
Japanese opera singer Yuria Wakia will perform classic Japanese folk songs, including – Hanabe No Uta (At the Shore), Konomichi (This Old Road), Hana (Flower) and Kojo no Tsuki (Moon Over the Ruined Castle). Yuria Wakia began studying piano at age four. She graduated from Tokyo college of music with a bachelor’s degree, then finished a diploma for vocal music at Tokyo Music & Media Arts Shobi. She learned from coaches of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and also went to Italy and studied. As a freelance soprano singer, she has performed as soloist with orchestras, on cruise ships, at recitals and various other activities. She also teaches children’s chorus in Japan. Her performance at the 2019 Japanese Cultural Fair is part of her first trip to Canada.

Bon Odori Dance

Furusato Dancers
See traditional Japanese folk dances called Odori or Bon Odori, performed by the Furusato Dancers wearing Japanese yukatas, casual summer kimonos. There will also be an opportunity for you to learn a popular bon odori dance.

Lace Escape: Alternative Fashion and Kawaii Culture in Japan

Zandra MacNeill, Tsukino Con

The beautiful lolita fashion subculture is a dreamy and cheerful lifestyle pioneered by Japanese women in the 1980s. The subculture has since been adopted and adored by girls around the world, but even with an international cult following, the fashion and its wearers are surrounded by misconception. Victoria Lolita Community coordinator Zandra will lead a discussion on the history and significance of lolita fashion, and display of her personal collection.

Kyudo (Japanese Archery)

Brian Angene
Brian Angene is a yondan (4th-dan) who was trained in Kobe. He is a founding member of the Kyudo Association of Canada and the founder of the Victoria Kyudo Association. Brian will give a brief explanation of the origins of modern kyudo, the basic movements (kihontai), and stages of shooting (hassetsu). There will also be a display of kyudo equipment and opportunity for questions.

Ikebana Demonstration #2

Michiko Seguev
Come to admire and learn more about the beauty of Japanese flower arranging. Sensei Michiko Segeuv will create several arrangements that demonstrate the principles of the basic forms as well as some free style arrangements. A gallery of ikebana made by Michiko’s students will be on display all day.

Steeped in History: The Revival of Canada’s First Japanese Garden and Teahouse

Dillon Takata
The Japanese garden and teahouse that formerly stood in Esquimalt Gorge Park was the first of its kind in Canada. Listen to Dillon Takata, a descendant of the family who once owned and operated the teahouse, discuss its creation, eventual destruction, and the ongoing efforts to rebuild this piece of Japanese-Canadian history.

Aikido Demonstration

San Shu Kan Aikikai Aikido
Aikido (合気道) is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as the way of unifying (with) life energy or as the harmonious spirit. Ueshiba’s goal was to create an art that practitioners could use defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.

http://www.sanshukan.com/

Koto Performance #2

Satomi Edwards
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed instrument dating back to the 7th century. Professional koto player Satomi Edwards will perform traditional and contemporary pieces from Japan. These authentic sounds will take you back to ancient times in Japan.

Sake 101 – This is all you need to know about sake

Shino Yamashiro and Anton Ihl, E:Ne raw food + sake bar
The fermented rice wine called sake outside Japan traces its origins to Japan’s Nara period of 710–794. Since that time sake it has been used in religious ceremonies, court festivals, and drinking games. Once only drunk in Japan, the delicate flavours of sake have taken the world by storm. In this session attendees will learn everything they need to know about sake.

RESTRICTED TO AGES 19+

Taiko Finale

Uminari Taiko
The 2019 Japanese Cultural Fair will close with the sounds, sights, and thunder of Japanese Taiko! Come see Uminari Taiko, Vancouver Island’s premier taiko ensemble, deliver a high energy fair closing performance that will move and shake you to the core. Note: Taiko Performance #1 and #2 are totally different sets.

http://www.uminaritaiko.com/