What comes to mind when Japan is mentioned? For me, it’s the sakura, geisha, ramen and sushi, Tokyo and Kyoto, minimalist interior design, onsens, old castles, temples and World Heritage Sights.
I’ve seen geishas walking quick small steps along a small alley of Gion, a formal tea ceremony in Tokyo, witnessed the Kyoto’s Jidai Matsuri. I have yet to see more of Japan’s culture.
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| To open the cultural show—Taiko, the ancient Japanese form of percussion using large drums |
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| Karate. Martial Artist Junii Tsukii |
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMUK34sDQqE[/embedyt]
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| Kendo |
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFma-d64iZs[/embedyt]
It’s now easier for the Davaoeños and Mindanaoans to experience Japan and its culture with the opening of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao. Here, visas to Japan can be issued directly. What we need now is a direct flight to the Land of the Rising Sun.
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| JPop. The Pastel Mix |
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| Keishi Ohno strumming the shimasen, a 3-stringed Japanese instrument, to new music |
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvGyoEm2Zo[/embedyt]
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| Fusion. Mindanao dance troupe moves to Ohno’s modern shimasen music |
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rnA-xfjvgA[/embedyt]
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| Fusion |
To promote Japanese culture and make the country more enticing to visit, the newly established Consulate General office recently showcased a cultural show. Featured were the traditional Japanese martial arts Karate and Kendo; taiko drumbeating performance; Jpop music; contemporary music interpreted with a shimasen, a three-stringed Japanese instrument; enactment of transporting the Mikoshi, a portable shine; and the Bon-Odori dance.
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| Mikoshi |
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZoho2Ls3mM[/embedyt]
It was like a quick trip to Japan. But what made the presentation more interesting is it allowed the audience to “immerse” in the culture. The Bon-Odori, the dance held during the Obon festival, was taught to the audience. A ballroom-filled of dancing guests made a fitting finale to the cultural show.
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| Bon-Odori |
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| Deputy Chief of Missions Takehiro Kano doing the Bon-Odori |
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| Guests learn to dance the Bon-Odori |
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| Consulate Genweral of Japan in Davao Consul General Yahioki Miwa |
For travel stories, visit www.jeepneyjinggoy.com
Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com
Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper
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