Wa! Japanese Cultural Festival

和, pronounced ‘Wa’  is a cultural exhibition led by the Japanese community of Colchester with a wide range of events and activities over three weeks. The exhibition will consist of a World Premiere of images by Japanese photographer Ryuichiro Baba, showing ordinary people within the devastation of the earthquake. A wide variety of supporting events are being organised by the Japanese community and Japanese educational materials and artefacts will be on show throughout the exhibition, including beautiful Japanese lanterns and banners, Tanabata and a Japanese garden!  

 

和 exhibition 24 August – 10 September
St James House, Queen St. Colchester
Open Wed – Sat 11am – 6pm
Slack Space

 

Wed 24 August 7pm – 9pm
Japanese Cultural Exhibition Opening Party
A special ceremony to open the Japanese exhibition with music from Hibiki Ichikawa and Japanese refreshments. A chance to meet with the organisers and artists behind the Exhibition. This special event will be attended by the Colchester Mayor, local Counsellors and representatives.

 

Thur 25, Fri 26 and Wed 31 August 2pm – 3:15pm
Japanese Kids Crafts
Activities include colouring, Japanese/Hiragana writing, tattoos and more.

 

Fri 26, and Wed 31 August 11:15pm – 1pm
Jiriki Seitai
Jiriki Seitai is Japanese self-healing exercise, somewhat like a mixture of 'Yoga' and 'Ki'. It combines elements of Shiatsu massage, movement and meditation. Demonstration and participation.

 

Sat 3 September 11am – 6pm
Matsuri - Japanese Festival Day
A special one day Japanese festival led by the Japanese community in Colchester and the highlight of our three week Japan exhibition. Come and join in and learn more about this fascinating culture. Activities include Japanese artefacts, Karate, Taiko drumming performance and workshops, Kamishibai (Japanese storytelling), Sushi making and opportunities to try Japanese traditional foods, Japanese tea ceremony, origami and calligraphy demonstrations as well as face painting and, for the children, Takeuma, a form of Japanese play.

 

Wed 7 September  7pm – 11pm
Japanese Film Showing: Akira Kurosawa Seven Samurai 1954
A poor village under attack by bandits recruits seven unemployed samurai to help them defend themselves.

 

Thurs 8 September  7pm – 11pm
Japanese Film Showing: Yasujiro Ozu Tokyo Story 1953
An old couple visit their children and grandchildren in the city; but the children have little time for them.

 

Sat 10 September 2pm – 4pm
Slack Folk
Free and accessible afternoon folk club. This month featuring traditional Japanese folk music  from Shamisen player Hibiki Ichikawa and singer Alika Mochida.

 

For up to date details please see the project website  http://essexwa.org.uk or the Slack Space diary page at http://theslackdiaries.tumblr.com/

 

Admission: Free