Posted in:
Culture & Society
Written By: Huda al-Kibsi
Article Date: Nov 17, 2007 - 2:06:09 AM
Keiko Yoshino arranges Ikebana, a Japanese traditional art practiced for 500 years.
People of all nationalities enjoyed the exposition of Japanese culture presented by the Embassy of Japan in Sana’a at the first ever Japan Culture Week held last week at Culture House in Sana’a.
Japan Culture Week was aimed at promoting better understanding of Japanese culture and traditional arts in Yemen, said Masakazu Toshikage, the Japanese Ambassador to Yemen.
“Our target for this year is the ordinary Yemeni people on the street going for a stroll in downtown Sana’a with their friend and families who might be interested in being casually exposed to bits and pieces of a different culture,” he said.
Toshikage said that the Embassy would like to organize this culture week every year and try to make it increasingly enjoyable to the Yemeni people having seen how they have reacted to each program that is presented.
Mohammed al-Muflehi, the Minister of Culture, said that it was a great thing that the Japanese Embassy had organized this culture week and hoped it would be the beginning of many others because, in his opinion, “culture plays an important role in strengthening cooperation between nations to settle world peace.
It is important to have activities like this to introduce and promote other cultures. Through this cultural week, people will learn about Japanese culture and traditions. It will tell us about the magnificent development Japan has achieved in all fields.”
Al-Muflehi said that the Yemeni-Japanese relationship is a very distinct one. Yemenis are familiar with Japan through commodities and technical developments, and it is now the time to know it in more detail.
Attendees were of different nationalities and ages. Even students of various schools had the chance to learn about Japanese culture. “I liked these activities because it showed me real Japanese life,” said Safa’a al-Gharasi, 15, from al-Rashid School. She wanted to continue attending for the whole week to be able to learn and see more. “If I don’t come with the school, I will come with my family in the afternoon,” she said.
All events were free and open to the general public for their enjoyment throughout the week. A variety of cultural programs, ranging from Japanese films, a world heritage photo exhibition to demonstrations of flower arranging and folk dancing were presented during the week’s activities.
The simple and tranquil spirit of the traditional art of flower arranging (known as Ikebana), which has been practiced in Japan for 500 years, was presented as part of the cultural week. Ikebana master Keiko Yoshino and her assistant, Miwako Ishii came to Sana’a all the way from London where they have been teaching Ikebana for many years. They demonstrated authentic flower arrangement in the style of Sogetsu School, one of the most popular Ikebana schools in Japan.
“I enjoy the Ikebana as an art of arranging flowers. I teach it in Europe and I hope that Yemenis enjoy it as I do with my students,” said Yoshino. She chose flowers and plants to arrange from Yemen and said that Yemen has beautiful flowers and plants, which would enable Yemenis to enjoy this traditional art. Ambassador Toshikage added that in Yemen there is a great variety of flowers and plants. “I am sure you sometimes feel like cutting them and putting them in containers to appreciate their shapes and colors. This is how people start doing flower arrangements wherever they are,” he explained.
Beautiful photographs of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan were exhibited every day throughout the week. The exhibition is a snap visit to all the heritage sites in Japan through sixty beautiful photograph panels. Eleven Yemeni youths presented their experience of this year’s Youth-Ship Program. Participants attended the Japan Youth-Ship Program together with more than 250 youths attending from 13 other countries. Participants spend 44 days together on board the ship during the program in order to learn about each other’s cultures and exchange views on matters of common interest, as well as learn more about Japan and its culture.
A group of Japanese and Yemeni volunteers staying in Sana’a demonstrated, in traditional summer kimono, Yosako dancing, one of the most popular local dances people enjoy as part of their summer festivals in Kochi, in the western part of Japan.
A selection of Japanese dramatic films with Arabic subtitles suitable for all viewers, regardless of sex or age, gave filmgoers a glimpse of contemporary Japanese society and way of life.
The Cultural Week opened with a demonstration of Japanese home cooking by Mr. Manabu Nonaka, “who has been working for us for years as our most reliable chef,” said Toshikage. He demonstrated how to prepare sushi rolls and tempura. Both are representative of Japanese traditional dishes.
Every afternoon during the week, a variety of entertaining programs were presented for visitors to experience bits and pieces of Japanese culture and arts. These programs included writing your name in Japanese calligraphy, trying on Japanese Kimono, making toys with paper (origami), saying hello in Japanese, and having a cup of tea, Japanese style.
The week is in cooperation with many organizations and volunteers, including the Ministry of Culture, Japan Foundation, Yemeni-Japanese Friendship Association, JICA Sana’a Office and participants in the Japan Youth-ship Program.
