Japan Matsuri (Festival) 2012

Trafalgar Square in the heart of London was the venue for this year’s Japan Matsuri Festival. I was overwhelmed with the amount of people in attendance, last year there were 35,000 people but this year there were at least 70,000 people.

His Excellency Mr Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan formally opened the 2012 Japan Matsuri, there were Spectacular performances from Taiko Drumming, music from Okinawa and Japanese dance from Tsugaru Shimisen and Violins from the British Suzuki Institute, Lolita Fashions from the Tea Party Club and Children from the Japanese School Tsubasa Children’s Choir, such talented performers.

The OTGKA has been invited for the last 2 years to give demonstrations during this celebration, the theme each time is on a typical Class in Traditional Karate – Do, which drew a large crowd and some commented that they have never seem the Supplementary Equipment before.

There were also some impressive demonstrations from Kendo, Naginata, Iaido, Judo and Aikido, with many Children taking part which is important for the future events.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Japanese Embassy and the organisers for their hard work in making this event a great success.

George Andrews