2023 VNCS Japanese Cultural Fair – Saturday, August 26th

The Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society

proudly presents the 23rd Japanese Cultural Fair

Saturday, August 26th, 2023
at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion (1070 Tillicum Road).
10:00AM TO 4:00PM

FREE ADMISSION
Family Friendly!

2023 VNCS Japanese Cultural Fair Program
2023-VNCS-Japanese-Cultural-Fair-Program-Web.pdf

NEW Community Showcase

NEW this year, we are expanding out onto the field adjacent to the Pavilion (where the Esquimalt Farmers Market is on Mondays…see Outdoor Layout). We are calling this area the Community Showcase as it’s purpose is to allow other members of the Japanese-Canadian community to interact with fair attendees. We’re still working out the final details but here are the groups that will be at the fair:

Vancouver Island Bonsai Society – are you interested in Bonsai (minature trees)? The Vancouver Island Bonsai Society will have folks on the field to answer any and all questions while doing demonstrations.

Southern Wave – want to know more about Okinawan culture? In addition to their performance and presentations (see the schedule below) they’ll also be on the field answer questions.

Kongo Dojo – want to know more about Ninjutsu & Jujutsu Koryu Karate? In addition to their performance they’ll also be on the field to answer questions.

Uminari Taiko – want to know more about Taiko? They’ll be there all day to answer questions.

VNCS Kids Crafts and Games – we’ll have an arts and craft tent for things like paper airplanes and also some games which have been recreated that used to be played in the Takata Tea Gardens back in the day. NOTE: Parents/Guardings need to stay with their kids at all times.

Japanese Friendship Society (JFS) – want to dress up in popular Japanese summer wear (Yukata)? The JFS will show you how to put them on right and you can take photos (by donation).

Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society (VJHLSS) – there will be representatives from the language school available to answer any questions.

Classic Japanese Vehicles – we’ve invited some local car owners to exhibit their classic Japanese vehicles. We’ll have a 1979 Honda Civic, a 1986 Toyota Trueno (AE86), a 1990 Honda CRX Si, a 1991 Mazda Eunos Roadster, and a 1999 Nissan Skyline BNR34 GT-R.

Outdoor Activities

See Outdoor Layout for Activity locations.

Things Japanese – looking for the perfect Japanese something for your home or office? Look no further than the curious curios of the Things Japanese tables. Thank you to our many donors who make the Things Japanese tables a hit year after year!

Tea Ceremony – by Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association. Urasenke is one of the main schools of Japanese tea ceremony. Along with Omotesenke and Mushakōjisenke, it is one of the three lines of the Sen family descending from Sen no Rikyū, which together are known as the san-Senke or the “three Sen houses/families” (see the Schedule for Tea Ceremony times).

Japanese Garden – Guided tours with Mike Abe (VNCS Heritage Committee) will allow fair attendees to learn the history of what once was, what was lost and what has been restored. Meet at the Takata Sakura trees beside Things Japanese. Tours are scheduled for 11:30am and 1:30pm (see the Schedule for more information).

Got food?

See Outdoor Layout for Food Tent locations.

The Sakura Grocery & Oni-Oni team will be onsite again this year with their food van serving Onigiri ($4) (Spicy Tuna, Ume Shiso, and Garlic-Sesame Rice Balls), Kara’age ($8) (Japanese fried chicken) packaged Japanese snacks, and Cold Drinks ($2-$8) (Oni-Oni-Floats, Bottle Teas, Ramune, Pocari Sweat, C.C. Lemon, Canned Coffee and bottled water), Desserts & Treats ($2-$5) (Daifuku, assorted Chips, assorted Pocky, assorted Candy), plus they will have Swag (Tee-Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Toques, and Ball Caps). See their full menu here.

Cozy Koji – Satomi & Shino – will be selling a Fried Tofu & Udon Salad with Yuzu Chili Miso Dressing ($18) along with their various Koji and Miso offerings.

Hide N Seek – Chef Moto – will be serving Teriyaki BBQ Corn ($5), Vegetable Salad Roll ($5), Beef Bowl ($13), with the option to add on Soft Poached Egg ($2).

The VNCS Food Tent will be serving Inari Sushi ($10) (each package will have one with Imitation Crab, one with Pickled Cucumber, and one with Egg), in addition we’ll have our usual sweet Manju desserts ($10) (which has been at many a past fair), Cold Drinks ($3), and a LIMITED number of Sushi ($10) (40 California Rolls, 20 Spicy California Rolls, 40 California Combos and Green Tea with Lemon from Bento Sushi.

Kakigori (Snow Cones) ($5) – the VNCS will also have a Kakigori tent. NOTE: Tickets MUST be purchased from one of our four locations: the VNCS Food Tent, the Japanese Cafe, Things Japanese, or the Silent Auction and then taken to the Kakigori Tent.

Special Mention

Mystery Bags
This year we are once again offering our “Mystery Bags” for both adults and children. This concept is inspired by the Japanese tradition of “Fuku-bukuro” or “lucky bags”. Each bag is guaranteed to contain at least the value of your payment in gift certificates and/or locally sourced goodies, if not more. Children’s bags include gift certificates, toys and candy. Available at VNCS Table (see Yukari-san) just inside the front entrance of the Pavilion. Mystery Bags sell out every year, so be sure to get yours early!!!

The VNCS Café
This year, VNCS will have the VNCS café for the first time. You can get a box of assorted Japanese Sweet and Salty Snacks ($10) and Melon Cream Soda ($5). Melon cream soda (melon-flavoured soda with vanilla ice cream on top) is on the menu at traditional-style Japanese cafés called “Kissaten (喫茶店)”. The taste of melon soda might bring back good memories to some of you, or it might be your first experience! Either way, we hope you enjoy the refreshing Japanese summer drink!

Fair Schedule & Floor Plans

Fair Schedule

Indoor Floor Plan

Outdoor Layout

Don’t know where to go? Come see us at the VNCS Information table just to the right inside the main entrance of the Pavilion or ask one of our roving fair ambassadors (wearing Happi coats).

Time Slot	Activity	Location
10:00 – 10:05	Taiko Opening Uminari Taiko will open with the thunder of Japanese Taiko! http://www.uminaritaiko.com/	Upper Floor Performance Area
10:05 – 10:15	Opening Ceremony The fair will be opened with short remarks from Tsugio Kurushima (President of the VNCS), Barb Desjardins (Mayor of Esquimalt), and Kohei Maruyama (Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver).	Upper Floor Performance Area
10:15 – 10:25	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. http://www.uminaritaiko.com/	Upper Floor Performance Area
10:30 – 10:55	Sumie Presentation Michael Abe Sumi-e uses ink, water and a brush to create textured paintings with endless gradients of black. Using as much empty space as painted area, the finished product depicts nature in its simplest form. Join Mike for a short demonstration of the materials and techniques of this simple yet complex art form.	Lower Floor Presentations (Room C)
11:00 – 11:25	A Touch of Okinawa #1 Southern Wave Okinawan Music and Dance Society was founded as a non-profit organization in 2020 during the pandemic. The group’s aim is to share the passion for unique culture of Okinawa such as joy of playing Sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed banjo), Ryukyu Buyo (traditional Okinawan dance), songs of Okinawan folk songs traditional & contemporary and Eisa (Okinawan drum-dancing). Additionally, Karate & Kobudo demonstration by Hanshi Masanobu Kikukawa and his students of the Victoria Shorin Ryu Karate Shinkokai. https://www.southernwavebc.org/	Upper Floor Performance Area
	Iaido – The Way of the Sword Chris Tooley – 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.	Lower Floor Presentations (Room C)
	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. Join the good folks from Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association performing Tea Ceremony on the grass to the right of the Pavilion (just below the Japanese Garden).	Outside on the right side of the Pavilion
11:30 – 11:55	Koto Performance 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 Japanese Cultural Fair back to ancient times in Japan.	Lower Floor – Presentations (Room C)
	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 Japanese Cultural Fair.	Lower Floor Ikebana (Room B)
	Historical Japanese Garden Tour #1 Michael Abe Why is there a Japanese Garden in Gorge Park, and for that matter, a pavilion? Join Michael Abe for a short tour through the gardens and learn about the history of the Japanese Garden and Tea House that was a popular destination from 1907-1942.	Meet at the Takata Sakura trees beside Things Japanese.
12:00 – 12:25	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.	Upper Floor Performance Area
	Growing Japanese Fruit Trees in Your Victoria Garden Bob Duncan Unbeknownst to most people, many well-known tree fruits associated with Japanese culture can be grown in Victoria’s mild winter, cool summer climate. This presentation will discuss the cultural requirements to successfully grow well-known Japanese tree fruits such as Yuzu, Sudachi, Kabosu, Mikan (Satsuma Mandarin), Biwa (Loquat) and Kaki (Persimmon). https://fruittreesandmore.com/	Lower Floor Presentations (Room C)
	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. Join the good folks from Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association performing Tea Ceremony on the grass to the right of the Pavilion (just below the Japanese Garden).	Tea ceremony will be performed under the Wisteria arbor in the Takata garden.
12:30 – 12:55	Introduction of traditional Okinawan performing art Southern Wave History of Sanshin and its unique scale, Ryukyu Buyo background & categories and Eisa (Okinawan drum-dancing) traditional & contemporary. Presenter: Masami Hanashiro https://www.southernwavebc.org/	Lower Floor Presentations (Room C)
1:00 – 1:25	Ninpo and Jujutsu: Ancient Paths of the Ninja and Samurai Genbukan Kongo Dojo Ninpo, the art of the Ninja, renowned shadow warriors of Japan, emphasizes self-protection and the holistic aspects of martial arts—physical, mental, and spiritual. Jujutsu embodies the zenith of samurai combat techniques. At Genbukan Kongo Dojo, we specialize in these traditional Japanese arts, encompassing both unarmed combat and weapons systems. Our teachings impart practical self-defense skills alongside discipline, fitness, and character development. Established by Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura, the Genbukan organization takes pride in providing authentic Japanese schools worldwide. https://kongodojo.ca/	Upper Floor Performance Area
	Yukata dressing for the average Canadian Beth Staples, Tsukino Con Ever wanted to learn how to wear a Yukata but didn’t know where to start or if you were doing it right? In this discussion we’ll talk about achieving the proper silhouette using traditional methods and unconventional materials.	Lower Floor Presentations (Room C)
	Tea Ceremony #3 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. Join the good folks from Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association performing Tea Ceremony on the grass to the right of the Pavilion (just below the Japanese Garden).	Outside on the right side of the Pavilion.
1:30 – 1:55	Rina and Tohoku Minyo Band Rina El-Nahas Rina and Tohoku Minyo Band is a traditional Japanese music band that plays Tohoku Minyo music from the Northern area of Japan. Rina El-Nahas has been performing and playing this style of music since the age of five and has won numerous awards from traditional competitions in Japan. Rina will be accompanied by Danny and Don on the shamisen and Eric and Naomi with taiko as well as backup vocals.	Lower Floor – Presentations (Room C)
1:30 – 1:55	Historical Japanese Garden Tour #2 Michael Abe Why is there a Japanese Garden in Gorge Park, and for that matter, a pavilion? Join Michael Abe for a short tour through the gardens and learn about the history of the Japanese Garden and Tea House that was a popular destination from 1907-1942.	Meet at the Takata Sakura trees beside Things Japanese.
2:00 – 2:25	A Touch of Okinawa #2 Southern Wave Okinawan Music and Dance Society was founded as a non-profit organization in 2020 during the pandemic. The group’s aim is to share the passion for unique culture of Okinawa such as joy of playing Sanshin (Okinawan three-stringed banjo), Ryukyu Buyo (traditional Okinawan dance), songs of Okinawan folk songs traditional & contemporary and Eisa (Okinawan drum-dancing). Additionally, Karate & Kobudo demonstration by Hanshi Masanobu Kikukawa and his students of the Victoria Shorin Ryu Karate Shinkokai. https://www.southernwavebc.org/	Upper Floor Performance Area
	Kyudo (Japanese Archery) Brian Angene Brian 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.	Lower Floor Presentations (Room C)
	Tea Ceremony #4 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. Join the good folks from Urasenke Tankokai Victoria Association performing Tea Ceremony on the grass to the right of the Pavilion (just below the Japanese Garden).	Outside on the right side of the Pavilion.
2:30 – 2:55	That Which Can’t be Rebuilt Dillon Takata Dillon Takata, descendant of the former owners of the Gorge Park Teahouse, discusses his family’s journey from Teahouse to internment and the efforts to reclaim what was lost.	Lower Floor – Presentations (Room C)
2:30 – 2:55	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 at the Japanese Cultural Fair.	Lower Floor Ikebana (Room B)
3:00 – 3:25	VJHLS Soran Dancers Victoria Japanese Heritage Language School Society The Dancers will perform an energetic dance to music based on the Japanese traditional song Soran Bushi.	Upper Floor Performance Area
3:00 – 3:25	The Kiln Project (Galiano Island Charcoal Kiln Pits) Bradley Kurushima The Kiln Project is a short film in which Vancouver based dancer Shion Skye Carter explores the history of the binchotan pit kilns built by, and eventually abandoned by, Japanese Canadian settlers on Galiano Island. After the screening, composer Bradley Kurushima (AKA Prince Shima) will hold a Q&A to discuss his role in creating the original music on-site and the use of obscure Japanese instrumentation in unearthing this forgotten history.	Lower Floor Ikebana (Room B)
3:30 – 4:00	Taiko Performance Finale 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. http://www.uminaritaiko.com/	Upper Floor Performance Area

First Aid

St. John Ambulance will be onsite again this year to provide any and all first aid coverage if needed. They will be located within the Pavilion but if you should require any kind of first aid please let one our staff (wearing Happi Coats & carrying walkie talkies) know and they will get St.John Ambulance staff to your location right away.

Getting Here

Cycling

We are super happy to announce we’ll have The Locker Bike Valet service from Capital Bike sponsored by Think Communications Inc. at this year’s fair. We’ll have space for 100+ bikes so leave the car at home and cycle to the fair!

What is The Locker?
The Locker is a safe, secure, and free parking service for bicycles, scooters, one-wheels, hoverboards, or whatever micromobility vehicle you use!

How Does it Work?
When you arrive, Locker friendly staff will take your bike and give you an identification tag. They will then watch over your bike during the event, and when you return, they’ll exchange your tag for your bike/transpo! Easy-Peasy!

Taking the bus?

The following bus routes access the Esquimalt Gorge Park:

On Gorge Road West: Route 8: Interurban / Tillicum Centre / Oak Bay, Route 9: Royal Oak / UVic, Route 11: Tillicum Centre / UVic – get off at the Gorge and Tillicum stop (in front of Fairways/Chevron Gas Station) cross the street onto Tillicum, walk across the bridge and on to the fair.
On Tillicum Road: Route 26: Dockyard / UVic (https://www.bctransit.com/) – get off at the Gorge Bridge (Stop ID: 100539/Stop ID: 100532).
On Craigflower Road: Route 14: Vic General / UVic (https://www.bctransit.com/) – get off at Forshaw (Stop ID: 100644/Stop ID: 100634) and walk down Sioux Place, cross the bridge and walk through the park to the Pavilion.

Staying in Victoria?

Did you know that the Robin Hood Inn and Suites has complimentary courtesy shuttle service for their guests to the Esquimalt Gorge Park from 9:00am to 9:00pm daily?

Driving?

We have a fully staffed Parking Support team (wearing safety vests and carrying walkie talkies) that will meet you at the front gate. Please let them know if you are attending, performing, presenting, volunteering etc. They will then direct you to an appropriate spot (e.g., EV Charging, Accessible etc.). If you do plan to drive, please respect and obey our staff to ensure a safe fair for all. Parking is limited at the Gorge Park Pavilion so cycling, walking, and transit are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED! When the parking lot is full there are a couple of alternate locations (see image below) available (but could also be full).