Japan Day

Japan Day is Japan Society North West's FREE all-day festival celebrating Japanese Culture, both traditional and modern. It is held once every two years, and alternates between Manchester and Liverpool.

The Venue

This year's Japan Day is being held in the Liverpool Guild of Students building. We'll be using the Mountford Hall and the Courtyard, giving us lots of space.

Comedy

At 4:00 pm on the main stage Diane Kichijitsu will give a performance of "Rakugo" - the traditional Japanese art of comedy storytelling. Diane was born in LIverpool, but now lives in Japan. Her deep knowledge of Japanese culture, extensive travel experiences as a globe-trotting backpacker, keen observations of cultural differences and humourous anecdotes of her surprising encounters in Japan form the basis of her hilarious Rakugo stories.

Music

On the main stage in Mountford Hall at 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm we will have performances of Japanese folk songs from the SOAS Min'yo Group.

There will be performances of taiko drumming by Thunderdrummers Cumbria throughout the day.

Awa Siren will be performing the Awa Odori dance on the main stage at 10:55 am, 12:45 pm and 3:15 pm.

Sumie Kent will be playing the Koto, the national instrument of Japan, at 11:30 am and 3:00 pm on the Courtyard stage.

Martial Arts Demonstrations

There will be martial arts demonstrations by Manchester Kyudo Group, Liverpool Kendo Club, Lancashire Aikikai, Yanagi Ryu, and Kaze Arashi Ryu.

Traditional Japanese Culture

You can watch a demonstration of kimono dressing and try on a yukata yourself! You'll be impressed by the display of bonsai trees from the Wirral Bonsai Society. And don't miss the display of Japanese swords and armour from the Northern To-Ken Society.