2024 VNCS Japanese Cultural Fair – Saturday, August 24th

Opening Ceremony

The fair will be opened with a land acknowledgement, and short remarks from, Barb Desjardins (Mayor of Esquimalt), and David Byng (Honorary Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver), and from Tsugio Kurushima (President of the VNCS).

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/

Sumi-e 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.

Roly Poly String Trio

Roly Poly String Trio will be offering music played on an unusual combination of instruments – electric guitar, Celtic harp, Koto and percussion.

The name Roly Poly comes from the family business of Japanese rice balls, now well known on Salt Spring Island. Their music making is also a family affair and, on this occasion, played by OTSU family.

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.

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).

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.

Ikebana Demonstration #1

Amanda Gaunt
Come to admire and learn more about the beauty of Japanese flower arranging. A gallery of ikebana arrangements made by the VNCS Ikebana classes will be on display all day at the Japanese Cultural Fair. At 11:30 Amanda Gaunt and at 2:30 Susan Kurushima will create arrangements that demonstrate the principles of the basic forms as well as some freestyle arrangements.

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.

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.

Shinto in North America

Anne Evans (Shin Mei Spiritual Center)

Shinto in Japan is both a spiritual and a cultural tradition familiar to many of you. It might surprise you that right here in Victoria we have an active Shinto shrine.  Come learn about Shinto in Canada. Ann Evans, Guji of Shin Mei Spiritual Centre, will talk about connecting with the kamisama through Great Nature, through shrine visits, and in your daily life.

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).

Shakuhachi

Gene Furbee
Gene Furbee came to Shakuhachi in his 7th decade and had very brief instruction from Masayuki Koga and Ray Brooks one time each, and  handful of lessons from Alcvin Ramos and Norman Stansfield. His  primary source of instruction was Koga’s Book SHAKUHACHI Japanese Bamboo Flute. He will be playing a shakuhachi made by Monty Levinson and another inherited from the recently departed Hugh Barclay. This demonstration of Shakuhachi will include music from Koga’s book: Sakura, Hinomaru, Defune, Hama Chidori  and a medley of folk music. The other stand alone piece is a Honkyoku piece titled Choshi.

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/

Idol Evolution: From Physical to Virtual

Adrian Simeoni (Tsukino Con)
Join us in a rapid-fire breakdown of the evolution of Idol culture in contemporary Japan! From solo acts to idol groups to vocal synths to VTubers, we’ll break down a condensed history of how Idols in Japan have transcended the physical and entered the virtual, thanks to the new Digital Age!.

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).

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.

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.

Hitotose – Live Samurai Fighting Show

HITOTOSE’s (ひととせ) live samurai fighting show is led by professional Japanese actors Haruno Niiyama and Yuki Kedoin. It is called Tate (殺陣), which is a traditional Japanese performing art. It originates from Budo (武道) and is influenced by Buyo (舞踊), a traditional Japanese dance. It is what you see in every samurai movie. Haruno and Yuki teach Tate classes in Canada.

Haruno Niiyama: https://www.instagram.com/harunon_s2/
[IMDb] https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13570170/

Yuki Kedoin: https://www.instagram.com/yuki_kedoin/
[IMDb] https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7031491/

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.

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).

‘In Our Grandparent’s Kitchens’: Youth Community Engagement

Djuna Nagasaki is a Gosei (5th generation) Japanese Canadian and aspiring filmmaker. At this event, she will present her recent short film titled ‘In Our Grandparents’ Kitchens’, which explores the identities of Yonsei (4th generation) and Gosei (5th generation) Japanese Canadians. After showing the film, Djuna will share information on the Victoria Nikkei Cultural Society’s new ‘Youngsei’ youth group, open to anyone of Japanese descent ages 19-35.

Ikebana Demonstration #2

Susan Kurushima
Come to admire and learn more about the beauty of Japanese flower arranging. A gallery of ikebana arrangements made by the VNCS Ikebana classes will be on display all day at the Japanese Cultural Fair. At 11:30 Amanda Gaunt and at 2:30 Susan Kurushima will create arrangements that demonstrate the principles of the basic forms as well as some freestyle arrangements.

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.

Roly Poly String Trio

Roly Poly String Trio will be offering music played on an unusual combination of instruments – electric guitar, Celtic harp, Koto and percussion.

The name Roly Poly comes from the family business of Japanese rice balls, now well known on Salt Spring Island. Their music making is also a family affair and, on this occasion, played by OTSU family.

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/