"Japan Fest 2017"

 
 
On 14 December 2017, the “Japan Fest 2017” was held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, with the attendance of leading political, business, cultural and diplomatic figures. The program was organized by the Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi.
 
On this occasion, various cultural exhibitions were also presented including ikebana (Japanese art of floral arrangement), origami (Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures), and bonsai (the art of growing ornamental, artificially dwarfed varieties of trees) displays, pop culture show and band session.
 
The Japan Fest 2017 started with several presentations to give cultural and social images of Japan, which was followed by Cosplay contest and Japanese pop songs played by local Japanese cultural groups, “Shonen Infinity” and “Metal Seinen”. At the occasion, various activity booths were also set-up, showcasing cosplay and Yukata (a light cotton kimono) experiences, artworks and origami learning. The ambience was exquisitely decorated with Japanese floral artefacts of ikebana and bonsai displays, which were deeply appreciated by the audience.
 
The event reached its peak with Koto and Shamisen performance by a Japanese artist, Ms. Kaneko Sumie who had been based in New York. The audience was captivated by the fascinating profundity of Japanese traditional music and memorable fusion of Japanese and Pakistani compositions.
 
The Koto is a traditional Japanese instrument with thirteen strings that are strung tautly across 13 movable bridges along the length of the instrument. It reached Japan in 8th century and was initially played only in the Emperor Court or aristocrat palaces.
 
The Shamisen is a three-stringed instrument, introduced in the 16th century from China through the Ryukyu Kingdom (Now Okinawa) to Osaka.
It is widely played in folk and art music as an accompaniment to lyric and narrative song and in the orchestras of Bunraku (puppet) and Kabuki dramas.
 
Ms. Sumie Kaneko is an accomplished Koto and Shamisen player, Jazz singer and songwriter who had studied at prestigious Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music; and Barkley College of Music, and performed at Washington DC Jazz Festival; Carnegie Hall; Lincoln Centre; and Blue Note New York among others. She is widely acknowledged for her unique chromatic use of instruments and has collaborated with many renowned instrumentalists and international artists.
 
At the end of the first phase of the program, Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura presented the awarding ceremony for the winners of cosplay contest.
 
In his speech, Mr. Toshikazu Isomura, the Consul-General of Japan in Karachi, mentioned about various aspects of Japan-Pakistan friendship and wished to further strengthen the existing cultural, economic and business ties between the two countries.
 
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For further information, please contact the Japan Information and Culture Center at the Consulate-General of Japan in Karachi: 35220800